{"id":124259,"date":"2025-04-12T09:02:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T09:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=124259"},"modified":"2025-04-12T09:02:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T09:02:28","slug":"syrian-expat-doctors-launch-lifesaving-campaign-in-deir-ez-zor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/124259\/","title":{"rendered":"Syrian expat doctors launch lifesaving campaign in Deir ez-Zor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Hussam Shahin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> Syrian vascular surgeon Dr. Wael al-Deiri appeared visibly distressed as he examined patients at Deir ez-Zor\u2019s National Hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now based in Germany, al-Deiri returned to his hometown as part of the volunteer medical campaign \u201cShifa\u201d (Healing)\u2014a humanitarian initiative launched by expatriate Syrian doctors to offer critical medical services in Deir ez-Zor and other underserved Syrian regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The medical equipment here simply does not meet the needs of the patients,” al-Deiri told North Press, describing the situation at Deir ez-Zor National Hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most diagnoses currently rely on outdated patient records, basic clinical assessments, or a few functioning devices, which he said made proper vascular diagnosis extremely challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the limitations, the hospital has managed to conduct cardiovascular surgeries in line with its modest capabilities. Patients requiring more complex procedures are being referred to better-equipped hospitals in other parts of Syria that remain functional despite the devastating war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Deiri noted the absence of essential diagnostic tools such as CT scans, grayscale imaging, and angiographic devices\u2014equipment critical to assessing and treating cardiovascular conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cShifa\u201d campaign is operating within a crumbling health system. Over a decade of war has decimated Deir ez-Zor\u2019s medical infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Of the 10 hospitals that once served the governorate, only two remain operational. Out of 106 health centers, only one-third are functioning, according to a local medical source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Deir ez-Zor National Hospital, just 13 of 24 medical devices are still in working order. Most were installed around the year 2000 and are now well past their service life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many residents, the \u201cShifa\u201d campaign is a lifeline. Somaya al-Nasser, 45, said she turned to the hospital after hearing of the campaign, hoping to receive free cardiac catheterization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe worsening economic conditions have left us no choice but to rely on free treatment,\u201d she explained, expressing deep gratitude to the volunteer doctors: \u201cTheir compassion has brought hope back to Deir ez-Zor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to the campaign, Syria\u2019s Transitional Government\u2019s Health Ministry opened online registrations for eligible patients to receive surgery in participating hospitals, including major medical centers in Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asmaa Ashour, 35, a local teacher, was diagnosed with clogged arteries and referred for surgery following her visit to the hospital\u2019s vascular clinic. She echoed a sentiment shared by many: \u201cWe need more of these initiatives to help ease the suffering left by war and economic hardship. Campaigns like this are a sign of progress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cShifa\u201d campaign, launched on April 7 by the Syrian Gathering in Germany (SGD) and Independent Doctors Association (IDA), runs until April 26 under the slogan: \u201cHand in Hand for Syria.\u201d Over 100 expatriate Syrian doctors from the European Union and the UK are participating, with specializations ranging from neurosurgery and orthopedics to cardiology and pediatrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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