June 2022 Newsletter

Miracle Story: Miraculous Survival of 3-Year-Old Girl

3-year-old Safa almost died by drowning. She fell into a sewer but by the time her family reached her in the sewage, she was unconscious. Her parents thought they had lost their beautiful child but they did not give up hope.

Safa was rushed to the recently opened Al-Andalus Hospital (see “New Beginnings” story below) where doctors literally saved her life. After being in the ICU on a ventilator for three days, Safa miraculously regained consciousness and was able to breathe on her own. After a few more days, Safa was given a clean bill of health and went home to her family. What a miracle story!

We are so grateful that this story had a happy ending. Thanks to our supporters, children like Safa have access to vital, lifesaving, dignified, free, quality medical and mental health care. Through your kindness, YOU are helping ensure that these children and their families receive the healthcare they deserve. Because of your generous gift, children like Safa can become stronger both physically and emotionally, paving the way towards a healthier and more promising future.

Together, we continue to save lives and build hope!

Fourth Surgical Medical Mission in Ukraine

In early June, UOSSM completed its 4th medical mission in Ukraine, in partnership with the David Nott Foundation (DNF). The 2-week surgical trainings, Hostile Environment Surgical Trainings (HEST) were led by world-renowned trauma surgeon Dr. David Nott, and his team from the UK. Recognized as the “Indiana Jones of surgery”, Dr. Nott often volunteers to work in disaster and war zones.  Dr. Nott partnered with UOSSM in the past to provide these vital trainings to Syrian doctors in Syria and Turkey, training them to save lives from war wounds and injuries.

The recent HEST trainings in Ukraine included one three-day training in Dnipro, with 38 surgeons, and another three-day training in Kharkiv, where 30 surgeons received the intensive training course. One complicated surgery was also performed on a patient with severe war wounds.

Dr. Khaula Sawah and Dr. Monzer Yazji, both co-founders of UOSSM USA, joined the surgical trainings. In addition, Dr. Sawah met with the director of the Ukrainian Ministry of Public Health Center of Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine, Dr. Vitaliy Kryliuk, who was very appreciative of the work UOSSM, along with DNF, is doing on the ground in Ukraine. Dr. Kruylik emphasized the importance to provide doctors and surgeons with more advanced, structured, vital trainings, and to provide Training of Trainers (ToTs) courses to advance the skills of Ukrainian surgeons to handle and treat war zone injuries in particular on the frontlines to train fellow Ukrainian surgeons.

To learn more about our medical work in Ukraine click here.

Click here to support upcoming medical missions in Ukraine.

New Beginnings: UOSSM Opens Al-Andalus Hospital in Idlib

On June 28th, UOSSM officially opened Al-Andalus Hospital (formerly Abeen Hospital) which includes specialty clinics, operating rooms, and rehabilitation centers. The hospital serves a catchment area of 185,000 people. It is located in the vicinity of 67 camps of displacement with over 96,000 internally displaced persons. As such, it is vital for providing critical medical services to those who need it most in these hard-to-reach areas.

The hospital specializes in general, laparoscopic, urinary, and gynecological surgeries, and has other specialty departments including reproductive health, mental health, lab, and radiology. In addition, surgical, pediatric, gynecological, urinary care, and general surgeries are provided. The lab, radiology, emergency, and labor and delivery departments operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Continuing to Provide Telemedicine Services in Northern Syria 

Via the Health Integrated Resilience System (HIRS) Telemedicine Platform, online consultations are still ongoing between local service providers and medical experts at two major mental health hospitals (Sarmada in Idlib, and Al-Bab in Aleppo). In addition, online consultations are provided in both Al-Ekhaa Hospital (Pediatrics Department) and Atmeh Charity Hospital (Intensive Care Unit).

Telemedicine helps reduce the gap among qualified health professionals (ICU, MH, NICU, and PICU) as it provides opportunities for consultations, educational opportunities, and mentorship with other specialists (diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for complex cases).

Contributing to Health System Enhancement Through Electric Vehicle

The Electric Vehicle (EV) continues to transport vaccines from cold rooms to primary healthcare facilities, in cooperation with the Syria Immunization Group (SIG). Each month, the EV distributes 12,000 vaccine doses.

In addition, the EV is vital for transporting and transferring COVID-19 patients, pregnant women, and children under one year old. As part of the referral network, the EV will also begin to transport patients in the near future.

The EV uses a lithium battery charged at health facilities powered by solar energy, making it 100% electric. The use of the EV is expected to result in long-term significant savings by reducing dependence on fuel and strengthening the health system.

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How YOU can help!

If you have any questions, please contact us at: connect@uossm.us

  • Follow us and share and like our posts on social media! (Links located below)
  • Come volunteer with us!  This is a fantastic opportunity to give back and gain work experience in the humanitarian sector. If you would like to share your talent with us – virtually – for the benefit of those who are less fortunate, please contact us at connect@uossm.us.
  • Become an Ambassador!
    If you are ready to become an active member and help us spread the word about UOSSM USA, then this is for you!
  • Host a Fundraising Event to help support our work, helping those in need with humanitarian aid and medical services.
  • Pledge your Birthday on Facebook!
    Create a fundraiser for UOSSM USA through Facebook. Click here for instructions!
  • Amplify your Gift with AmazonSmile
    Simply shop at smile.amazon.com and select UOSSM USA to support!

If you have any questions, please contact us at: connect@uossm.us

Did you know?

Since 2012, UOSSM has been providing emergency medical relief and healthcare services to the Syrian people affected by the crisis, working primarily inside Syria as well as with Syrian refugees in Turkey.

In 2021 UOSSM provided:

medical services to almost 1.4 million people in Syria and Turkey

protection services to over 55,000 people

nutrition services focused on women and children to over 184,000 beneficiaries

care to over 40,000 people through our mental health and psychosocial support program

health care services to over 1 million patients  at Bab Al Hawa Hospital through the end of 2019

UOSSM USA is a US federally tax-exempt non-profit 501(c)(3) Charitable Humanitarian organization. Tax-Exempt. Tax ID 47-3403988. All donations to UOSSM USA are fully deductible from taxes to the greatest extent permitted by law. Charitable Solicitation Disclosures available on our website: www.uossm.us

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