Medical services in the Syrian city of Idlib have been overwhelmed after a series of airstrikes on major hospitals damaged intensive care units and specialized services, doctors said.
At least two patients in intensive care units died due to a lack of electricity and oxygen caused by the airstrike, and hospitals had to evacuate patients or move them to basements, according to rescue group White Helmets.
Health services that have been attacked in the past few days include Ibn Sina Children's Hospital and Maternity and Children's Hospital, run by the medical charity Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). white helmet It said Idlib University Hospital, the national hospital and the health department were also damaged.
Attacks on pro-government cities have intensified in the past week, after rebels launched a surprise attack that enabled them to take control of all of Idlib province and the main city of Aleppo.
Dr. Mohammad Firas al-Hamud, a pediatrician at the Mother and Child Hospital, said the massive explosion shattered the hospital's windows, causing people to be unable to see and hear.
“I groped my way from the emergency exit to the first floor, but it was very scary,” Hamud said. “[Staff and patients] Gathered in the basement of the hospital, everyone had blurry vision. ”
Hamud said the strike at the maternity hospital caused a power outage and caused hospital equipment to malfunction.
“Two people in the intensive care unit died due to the power outage and oxygen supply being cut off,” he said.
Sams said the hospital he operated in Idlib was also hit by an airstrike on Monday, and although there was structural damage, no one was injured as staff have been working underground since violence escalated last week. .
Sams said he had abandoned all but emergency care at the nine facilities he worked at and evacuated American volunteer doctors.
“Hospitals, schools and civilians are not targets of war. We all must use common sense and prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable, no matter which side of the front line they are on.” said Dr. Mufaddal Hamadeh, president of Sam's.
Dr. Sidra Daboul, an anesthesiologist at Al Shifa Hospital who specializes in the treatment of heart disease, said staff had to be evacuated after a nearby explosion broke windows.
“Today we have been completely shut down. We only have emergency emergency medical services to treat airstrike victims and evacuate the city,” she said.
Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, the human rights organization Doctors has documented at least the following: 604 attacks on medical facilities At least 949 workers were killed. All but 60 were affiliated with the Syrian regime or allied forces.
Airstrikes across Idlib on Monday killed at least 18 people, according to the White Helmets.
