Underequipped, underfunded Tel Tamr hospital works to save civilians in northern Syria
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region- Rojava hospitals are struggling to treat the sick and injured amid ongoing deadly clashes between Turkish-backed proxies and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Just 5 kilometers from the deadly frontline stands Tel Tamr Hospital. Tel Tamr is a Christian town about 30 kilometers from the Turkish border. Despite lacking the necessary means to tend to large numbers of people with severe war injuries, the hospital is the primary care facility for wounded civilians in Kurdish-controlled Northern Syria.
Doctor Hassan Ameen, the director of the hospital, told Rudaw that the hospital doesn't have enough equipment, is running low on crucial medical supplies and is understaffed.
The battle for control of northern Syria's borderlands has been costly in terms of lives, and civilians are constantly caught in the crossfire of indiscriminate mortars and frequent shelling by Turkish-backed groups.
Despite more than one ceasefire agreement, Turkish-backed groups have continued their relentless attacks on the area surrounding the hospital, regularly striking villages within 5 kilometers of Tel Tamr.
Children have been heavily impacted by the indiscriminate bombing. Yassemin, a girl displaced from the border town of Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) sustained injuries from mortar shelling.
Yassemin received medical attention, but Kinda, a pregnant woman in labor, couldn't find a doctor to treat her.
“[The birth] is today. I am very worn out. I don't know where to go," Kinda told Rudaw.
Hospital director Hassan Ameen issued an urgent call on international organizations to help the hospital.
"We call on all humanitarian organizations, and those working in the health field, to send urgent help to our hospital. Unfortunately, up to now, no health institutions or organizations have sent us help. Second, we need medical assistance with regards to medical machines and medicine sent to us," Dr. Ameen told Rudaw.
Reporting by Aras Bradosty