Washington DC- Several medical facilities have been attacked and put out of service since Sunday, causing newborn babies to temporarily suffocate as their incubators lost power.The attacks left thousands with no access to medical care, as Idlib experienced fierce bombardment, including a reported chlorine gas attack.
This morning at 9 a.m. Damascus time the Kafr Nabol Surgical Hospital in Idlib, was attacked by three air strikes causing major damage and putting it out of service. Several were injured including a technician and patients. The hospital had 5000 beneficiaries and performed approximately 100 surgical operations per month.
Last night at 9 p.m. Damascus time, the Maarat Al Nouman Central Hospital in Idlib, was attacked by four airstrikes, paralyzing the hospital that was filled with patients, and putting it out of service. Several newborn babies were suffocating from the attack after their incubators lost power. The hospital provided services to approximately 10,000 beneficiaries and provided 400 surgeries a month.
Later that night, the Tal Mardeekh Healthcare Center in Idlib, was attacked and put out of service.
In addition, there was a reported chemical attack in Saraqeb, Idlib at 10 p.m. Damascus time, 17 people were injured including three members of the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets). Victims at the medical facility reported symptoms consistent with the choking agent chlorine gas, including suffocation and the smell of chlorine on their clothes. No fatalities were reported.
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) seven medical staff were killed, and 30 medical facilities, including nine ambulances were attacked throughout Syria in January 2018.
Kathleen Rowan, CEO of UOSSM USA said, “As people around the world were enjoying the Super Bowl, Syrian children and their families were suffocating by hospital and chemical attacks. Do these children not deserve the right to breathe? To live without fear? To see those newborn babies stacked on one bed is unconscionable and should shake whomever sees that image to their core. This must stop now! Attacks on hospitals is a clear crime of war and perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions.”
