Assisted by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and in partnership with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Sidra Hospital, a Qatari medical convoy, Sawaed Al Shifa 1, has completed its missions in northern Syria, a statement said Wednesday.
The convoy included a group of doctors in the fields of urology and paediatric surgery, headed by HMC's consultant urologist Dr Abdulla al-Naimi, urology resident Dr Hashem Makki and Sidra's Surgical Department CEO and senior consultant paediatrician Dr Mansour Ahmad Jaber, and consultant paediatric surgeon Dr Hassan Ba-Ghazal.
The convoy examined and treated 47 cases and performed 29 surgeries, which included specific and complex cases, and provided workshops for 12 urology specialists and four paediatric surgeons in northern Syria. Hospitals were also provided with surgical instruments and consumables.
As part of its humanitarian mission, the convoy assisted both the displaced and host communities in northwestern Syria, co-operating with the Idlib Health Directorate and several hospitals in the area. Additionally, two hospitals will be provided with medical equipment and devices for laparoscopic surgery.
Mazen Abdullah, the head of QRCS's representation office in Turkiye, lauded the efforts of the medical team. Rajab al-Aqdi, a 23-year-old beneficiary, recalled the moments of pain and hope for recovery, and expressed his overwhelming happiness.
"Nearly four years ago, I experienced severe kidney pain, and as it turned out it was stones. It is necessary to fragment the kidney stones or remove it surgically, but unfortunately, surgeries for this disease were not available in northern Syria, and fragmentation operations are extremely expensive. I cannot afford either procedure. I heard of a medical and surgical delegation coming from Qatar to the north of Syria to perform free surgeries. At that time, I was examined and registered at the hospital. Thank you and the team of doctors that God used to end my suffering with this disease.”
