After the opposition factions took control of most neighborhoods in Aleppo, the medical sector is suffering from crises due to the reluctance of medical staff to join health facilities, due to the bombing by the regime and the tense situation on the ground.
The health situation was not at its best during the regime’s control over Aleppo, but the heavy bombing, which targeted some hospitals and medical centers after the entry of opposition factions, exacerbated the medical crisis in the city, which was not prepared for the state of emergency it went through in the past week.
The opposition factions controlled most neighborhoods in Aleppo except for Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, and parts of the Syriac and al-Sabeel neighborhoods, which are controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after the “Deterrence of Aggression” operation launched by the factions on November 27.
The opposition factions began their incursion on November 29, and most of the main hospitals and pivotal points of the city came under their control, including the hospitals that were the backbone of the health sector in Aleppo, most notably Aleppo Hospital, the University Hospital, and Ibn Rushd Hospital.
Despite the reassuring messages from the Military Operations Administration (which manages the battle), calling on medical staff to join hospitals and medical centers, the health sector continues to operate in a limited capacity in the city.
Dr. Omar Furouh, one of the doctors who entered Aleppo from the early hours of the opposition factions’ entry, told Enab Baladi that they found hospitals nearly empty, but met with some staff who were still on duty and promised to put an emergency plan in place.
According to Furouh, after meeting with the medical staff and their calls for other medical staff to return to work, the health sector began operating with about a third of its staff.
The medical sector has seen a slight improvement after a percentage of staff returned to work, and some volunteer doctors and nurses from rural northern Aleppo entered, according to Furouh.
The regime bombs hospitals
Dr. Omar Furouh said that the main concern for medical staff about returning to work is the bombardment of health facilities, which was confirmed by a doctor who remained in the city after the opposition took control, in an interview with Enab Baladi.
From the early hours of the opposition’s control of the neighborhoods of Aleppo, the regime’s aircraft began targeting the city, and its shells also hit hospitals.
The regime’s first strikes were on the morning of the first day after the opposition took control of Aleppo’s neighborhoods, on November 30, targeting the Furqan area in western Aleppo, resulting in casualties.
The Syrian regime targeted the University Hospital in the city at the beginning of December, resulting in 12 deaths and dozens of injuries.
The bombing of the University Hospital coincided with a meeting for doctors and nearly “turned into a horrific massacre”, according to the Free Health Directorate of Aleppo.
The Free Health Directorate of Aleppo condemned the Syrian-Russian bombardment of health facilities, stating that targeting medical points in Aleppo is “a new crime against humanity.”
Health Minister of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), Mazen Dukhan, called on the international community to stop the regime’s escalation against health facilities in northern Syria.
In addition to the bombardment, medical staff is concerned about a “new unknown situation,” as they are dealing with a new authority.
Some medical sector workers also fear leaving their families behind amidst the frequent curfews imposed by the Military Operations Administration due to “the new security situations,” according to Furouh.
Local initiatives
Some doctors in Aleppo who remained in the city after the opposition took control launched an initiative called “Online Doctor,” stating that it aims to assist the residents of Aleppo and provide them with medical consultations.
The initiative consists of 40 doctors from various specialties who offer free consultations via WhatsApp, as circulated in local groups.
Enab Baladi contacted one of the doctors involved in the initiative (who preferred not to be named), and noted that this initiative is independent, free, and neutral, not affiliated with any party, aiming to provide health services via phone.
The Online Doctor initiative was specifically launched for patients who will create an additional burden on the health sector, currently busy treating surgical injuries, according to the doctor.
The doctors provide consultations about when to take medication, the appropriate medications for each illness, and what can be treated over the phone, according to the doctor.