Logan Reid
Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the city of Aleppo has been a focal point of the conflict, with the Syrian government, supported by Russia, attempting to recapture the city from opposition forces. As a result, the city has been subjected to intense aerial bombardment, with hospitals being specifically targeted. This has led to a near-total collapse of the healthcare system in Aleppo, with hospitals being destroyed, medical staff being killed or fleeing, and essential medicines becoming scarce. As of 2016, reports indicated that there were no functioning hospitals left in Eastern Aleppo, leaving over 250,000 residents without access to hospital care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals in Eastern Aleppo | 8 (as of 2016) |
| Number of hospitals in Aleppo | 9 (as of 2016) |
| Status of hospitals | Overwhelmed, damaged, lack of space, lack of supplies, staff shortages |
| Number of people without access to hospitals | 250,000-300,000 |
| Number of attacks on hospitals in Syria | 583 verified attacks |
| Number of attacks on hospitals in Aleppo | 23 attacks since July (no date specified) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Airstrikes and military offensives by the Syrian government and its allies
Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, the Syrian government, backed by Russia and Iran, has carried out numerous airstrikes and military offensives in Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war. The Syrian government's campaign to recapture Aleppo from rebel forces has resulted in widespread destruction and targeted attacks on the city's health facilities.
The Syrian government and its allies have perpetrated the majority of the 583 verified attacks on medical facilities in Syria. These attacks have transformed hospitals into deadly spaces for both medical professionals and patients, severely damaging Syria's healthcare system. By the end of the campaign to recapture Aleppo, al-Quds Hospital was the only hospital left standing, despite suffering multiple indiscriminate attacks.
During the lead-up to the final offensive on Aleppo in late 2016, the Syrian government and Russian forces targeted several hospitals, including al-Sakhour Hospital, al-Bayan Hospital, al-Hakim Hospital, Omar Bin Abdelaziz Hospital, and al-Zarzour Hospital. These hospitals were repeatedly attacked until they were put out of service.
The Syrian government's airstrikes and military offensives have resulted in a severe shortage of medical professionals, medicine, and resources in Aleppo. Doctors and medical staff have been killed or fled, while those who remain face heavy workloads and limited supplies. The few remaining hospitals have been overwhelmed with high numbers of war-wounded patients, and the wounded are often treated in homes or other makeshift settings.
The Syrian government's recapture of Aleppo in 2016 marked a significant turning point in the civil war, allowing them to control most of the country's land and major cities. However, the conflict in Syria remains ongoing, with rebel forces launching new offensives and the Syrian government continuing its airstrikes and counterattacks.
Hershey's Geisinger Medical: A Comprehensive Hospital
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Hospital [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61oQ2sBPcmL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Hospitals in eastern Aleppo
Eastern Aleppo's two main surgical medical facilities, supported by MSF and other organizations, have been damaged on five occasions, with one facility out of service since October 1, 2016. MSF supports eight hospitals in Aleppo city and runs six medical facilities across northern Syria. They support more than 150 health centers and hospitals across the country, with many in besieged areas.
The constant attacks have left hospitals in eastern Aleppo overwhelmed with high numbers of war-wounded patients. Medical staff have had to work with limited resources and sleep, and the lack of basic goods and fuel has impacted both ambulances and hospitals.
The situation reached a critical point in November 2016, when more than 250,000 residents of eastern Aleppo were left without access to hospital care following attacks on the remaining hospitals. Small clinics provided some health services, but residents could no longer access trauma care, major surgeries, and consultations for serious health conditions.
The first rehabilitated health centre in eastern Aleppo, the Saad Ibn Abi Waqas health centre, opened in September 2017 with support from WHO. This centre provided specialized clinics for internal medicine, reproductive health, childcare, and orthopedic and dermatological care. The rehabilitation of this centre was a significant step towards reviving healthcare availability in eastern Aleppo.
Hospital Pharmacies: 24/7 Service for Urgent Medication Needs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Al-Quds Hospital
The hospital was located in the Sukary neighbourhood of Aleppo. Before the conflict, it was a private hospital, but it was abandoned and later re-equipped in November 2012 by a group of health workers, including Dr. Hamza al-Khataeb (or al-Kateab) and several nurses. They set up a small pharmacy and equipped the emergency room, obstetrics and gynecology room, and two surgery rooms. By 2014, the hospital was accommodating up to 4,000 cases per month or 100-150 people per day.
On April 27, 2016, amidst the Syrian government-led coalition's offensive on East Aleppo, Al-Quds Hospital was again attacked and severely damaged by airstrikes. This attack killed and injured medical staff and patients, including those wounded from previous strikes. A fourth strike strongly impacted the emergency room and destroyed the top two floors. The exact number of victims was difficult to determine due to the extensive rubble.
The attacks on Al-Quds Hospital and other medical facilities in Syria have been widely condemned by organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). These assaults have transformed medical facilities into deadly spaces for both medical professionals and patients, leaving the Syrian medical sector in a dire situation.
Northwell Health Hospitals: Loan Forgiveness Options
You may want to see also
Medical staff shortages
The Syrian Civil War has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare system, with medical professionals often finding themselves on the front lines of the conflict. Aleppo, in particular, has suffered relentless attacks on its hospitals and medical staff. By the end of the Syrian government and Russian military campaign to recapture the city, Al-Quds Hospital was the only hospital left standing, despite suffering numerous indiscriminate attacks.
The Syrian government and its allies have perpetrated the vast majority of the 583 verified attacks on medical facilities in Syria. These attacks have transformed hospitals into deadly spaces, killing or forcing medical staff to flee. The systematic targeting of healthcare workers, coupled with low salaries and dangerous working conditions, has resulted in a severe shortage of medical personnel in Aleppo.
Before the fall of Aleppo in 2016, it was reported that fewer than 30 doctors remained in the city, with more than two-thirds of hospitals no longer functioning. The remaining healthcare workers faced immense pressure, working with limited resources and little rest. The lack of medical staff has also impacted the training of new doctors, as each resident requires a certain number of surgical operations to gain the necessary experience. The large number of graduates without sufficient practical opportunities creates an imbalance and negatively affects the level of medical expertise available.
The emigration of medical professionals has left a substantial gap in hospitals, with most doctors planning to leave Syria immediately after graduation. The Assad regime's policies, rampant corruption, administrative issues, and crumbling infrastructure have further exacerbated the staff shortage crisis. Additionally, the low salaries of medical staff have pushed some to resort to illegal practices, such as accepting contracts for medical supplies that never arrive or deliberately disabling equipment to force patients to pay for private services.
The consequences of the medical staff shortage in Aleppo are dire, with physicians performing new and unfamiliar operations without adequate training. For example, a dentist with no training in maxillofacial surgery had to operate on a patient whose jaw was destroyed by a sniper shot. The shortage of doctors and the overwhelming number of patients have also resulted in subpar treatment conditions, with children and civilians being treated on the floor in corridors, and a lack of intensive care beds leading to preventable deaths.
Rap Group Do or Die's Hospital Scare
You may want to see also
The impact on civilians
The Syrian Civil War has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare system, which was once the envy of the Arab world. The conflict has seen the destruction of Syria's economic, social, and cultural structures, with the city of Aleppo bearing the brunt of the violence. The impact of the war on the city's civilians has been immense, with hundreds of thousands of people still living under siege and facing a dire humanitarian crisis.
Aleppo's healthcare system has been particularly hard-hit, with hospitals and medical centres being systematically targeted by Syrian government forces and their allies. By 2016, the eastern half of Aleppo's medical grid was almost entirely destroyed, with all hospitals in the city suffering damage and coming under attack on multiple occasions. This has left civilians without access to basic medical care and has resulted in a severe shortage of medicine and medical equipment. The few remaining doctors and medical staff in the city are struggling to cope with the influx of war-wounded patients, and many have themselves become targets or been forced to flee.
The destruction of medical facilities in Aleppo has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, who are now forced to travel long distances to reach the nearest medical centre. The lack of medical facilities and medications has turned medical issues into life-threatening emergencies for civilians. For example, the destruction of the city's blood bank has left patients with renal disease, cancer, and diabetes without access to critical medications and treatments. The situation is especially dire for pregnant women and newborns, with the destruction of the only specialized children’s hospital in the eastern part of the city resulting in a shortage of baby incubators.
The Syrian government's aerial bombardment campaign, which has included the use of banned chemical weapons, has also directly targeted civilians, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of children and the displacement of thousands more. The deliberate targeting of civilian areas, including busy streets, bread queues, and aid distribution centres, has left civilians without access to food, water, and other basic supplies. The use of brutal siege tactics and forced displacement has amounted to war crimes, according to the UN Commission.
The impact of the war on Aleppo's civilians has been nothing short of catastrophic, with the city's healthcare system in shambles and the civilian population facing death, injury, displacement, and a lack of access to basic necessities. The systematic targeting of medical facilities and the prevention of humanitarian aid from reaching civilians have exacerbated the suffering and made life unbearable for those still living under siege in the city.
Public Healthcare in New Zealand: Hospital Numbers
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
As of 2016, there were no hospitals functioning in Eastern Aleppo.
Yes, Al-Quds Hospital was the last hospital standing in Aleppo in 2022.
There were nine hospitals in East Aleppo in 2014, in addition to smaller medical points throughout the area.
Hospitals in Aleppo have suffered from airstrikes, staff shortages, and insufficient supplies. The Syrian government and its allies have perpetrated the majority of the 583 verified attacks on medical facilities in Syria.
Yes, Doctors Without Borders supports eight hospitals in Aleppo city and runs six medical facilities across northern Syria.
