Global wars and conflicts are major public health problems affecting maternal and child health. War and conflict disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as women and children. More than 90 per cent of maternal and child deaths occur in countries defined as underdeveloped or developing, where most of the world's humanitarian crises, conflicts and wars occur. The infant mortality rate in the EU is 3.1 (per thousand), the highest average in the world of 25.1 (per thousand) in regions free of war and conflict, and more than 46.3 (per thousand) in war and conflict regions. Similarly, the maternal mortality rate is 8.8 (per 100,000) in the EU and 211 (per 100,000) in non-conflict areas, the highest average, but over 1,000 (per 100,000) in war and conflict areas.

Humanitarian crises such as wars and conflicts have a severe impact on maternal and child health, both in terms of mortality and morbidity. In addition to being a direct cause of death, these humanitarian crises weaken health systems in crisis areas and impede the delivery of health services. This means that mothers and children do not have access to basic life-saving care and services such as primary health care, safe drinking and potable water, adequate shelter and nutrition with proper hygiene and sanitation, basic education, and even clean air. On the other hand, we have the opportunity to end preventable deaths of women, infants and children around the world and significantly improve their health and well-being by preventing man-made crises.

Today There is still a war in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, at least 16 thousand 172 children, 10 thousand 798 women, including 38 thousand 848 Palestinians died, 89 thousand 459 people were injured.

Israel has been waging a war of genocide against hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza. Especially After October 7, the deliberate targeting of hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza has put the lives of hundreds of patients and displaced people who sought refuge inside the facilities, at an imminent risk of death.

We have to point out that in addition to life-threatening difficulties such as forced displacement, lack of medical care, and lack of vaccines, the health conditions of these children and their mothers are also very critical. We have to state that to the whole world.

Since 1948, the effects of the occupation in Palestine have evolved into catastrophic destruction especially in Gaza after 7 October 2024. The health of mothers and children, who are the lifeblood of a society and the most important parts for the continuation of the generation, is under threat in Palestine and especially in Gaza.

For this reason, our Anatolian Clinic the Journal of Medical Sciences journal aims to publish a special issue on the difficulties encountered in the performance of maternal and child health services in conflict zones in Palestine and the responses to these difficulties.

In this context, we are pleased to invite you to contribute to our special issue in line with your expertise and experience in your field.

Writing rules and all procedures regarding the submission of manuscripts will be the same as in the regular issues. The sub-topics and all detailed information within the scope of the special issue are announced below.

We present this call for papers to all researchers.

Special Issue Editorial Board
     Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Akbaş (Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University)
Special Issue Editors:
    Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sait Değer (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University)
    Specialist Doctor Emre Çelik (Department of Pediatrics, Bursa City Hospital)

Special Issue Field Editors:
    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özdinç (Department of History of Medicine and Ethics, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa)
    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Cem Tarakçıoğlu (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa)
    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Atak (Department of Public Health, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University)
    Asst. Prof. Dr. Kerem Kınık (Department of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Hamidiye Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences)
    Asst. Prof. Dr. Çağrı Emin Şahin (Department of Public Health, Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences)
    Specialist Doctor Celaleddin Turgut (Department of Mental Health and Diseases, Kahramanmaras Necip Fazıl City Hospital)

Special Issue Schedule
Submissions Open                                  : 10 August 2024
Submission Deadline                              : 15 October 2024

Submission Procedures and Author Guidelines
Study Submission                                      : DergiPark Journal Management System
Manuscript Template                               : https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/anadoluklin/writing-rules
Article Submission                                     : https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/journal/111/submission/step/manuscript/new
Submission Procedure                              : When submitting via the DergiPark system, please indicate that you are submitting for the "Gaza Special Issue" on the title page.


The following topics and areas will be addressed in the forthcoming special issue:

    1. The organisation of the Palestinian (Palestine and Gaza) health system and the functioning of health services
    2. The effects of the 7 October occupation on the health system and health service delivery in Gaza and its ethical evaluation
    3. The impact of the 7 October occupation on the housing situation of mothers and children
    4. The impact of malnutrition on maternal and child health in the Gaza
    5. Difficulties in access to safe drinking and potable water and its impact on maternal and child health in Gaza
    6. Infectious diseases and their health impacts in Gaza
    7. Immunisation programmes and practices in Palestine
    8. Reproductive health services in Gaza
    9. The Effect of Disrupted Health Services on Maternal, Infant and Child Health in Gaza
    10. Chronic disease status, screening and follow-up of mothers and children in Gaza
    11. Mental health services in Gaza (women and children in particular)
    12. Post 7 October environmental health problems and their effects on health
    13. Psychosocial support services in Gaza


Your contribution will be of significant value to our special issue, enhancing the scientific rigour of our work.

Please send an email to abdullahemrecelik@gmail.com or mehmetsaitdeger@gmail.com as soon as possible to let us know which topic you would like to contribute to and for further details.

Should you require further clarification, we will be pleased to contact you.

We are grateful in advance for your participation.

Yours sincerely,