September 2020

September 2020 Activities and Updates from UOSSM USA

UOSSM USA Continues to Raise Funds to Build 2 ICUs in Yemen

There are over 14 million people in Yemen at risk of starvation and outbreaks of deadly diseases. Five years of conflict has led to widespread destruction of hospitals, healthcare facilities, water, and sanitation systems, and caused over 230,000 deaths, primarily due to lack of clean water, food, and healthcare services. The COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen, within the current alarming frail healthcare and infrastructure, will have a devastating impact on the lives of millions of people in Yemen. UOSSM USA wants to help save lives and support the Yemeni people by establishing two ICU centers to support nearby hospitals to be able to treat the people affected by COVID-19 in Sana’a and Aden. The ICU centers would help provide life-saving support to those who need it most.

Please click here if you would like to support this campaign.

First Doctor Dies From COVID-19 in Northern Syria

The area of northern Syria lost its first doctor to COVID-19 on September 10. Dr. Adnan Jasem, 58, was working in Al Bab Hospital where he contracted the virus. The virus progressed quickly and landed him in the ICU with a ventilator, as he lost his battle with the coronavirus. Dr. Jasem saved countless lives, risking his life in service of others, survived a bombing in his home and was forcibly displaced several times. He is survived by his wife and four children. Dr. Khaula Sawah, President of UOSSM USA said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Dr. Jasem, he risked his life every day trying to save others. He survived bombings and displacement but unfortunately was unable to survive the deadly coronavirus. We would like to extend our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences to Dr. Jasem’s family. What a loss to the region.”

UOSSM Continues COVID-19 Response

UOSSM continues its proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 30, there were 1072 confirmed cases in Northwest Syria. UOSSM has been responding with the following measures:

  • Supporting primary health care centers (PHCs)
  • Establishing and operating community-based isolation centers (CBICs)
  • Sterilization of displacement camps
  • Distribution of hygiene kits containing sanitizing and personal care items
  • Distribution of nutrition and food baskets
  • Establishing a distance-learning center in Afrin
  • Distributing educational awareness brochures about COVID-19 in areas of displacement.

In addition, UOSSM continues to provide awareness and training on COVID-19 to medical and administrative personnel.

UOSSM Distributes Medical Consumables in Syria

In response to the spread of the coronavirus and in support of medical facilities, UOSSM distributed medical consumables, medical supplies, lab supplies, and medicines to several healthcare centers in northwest Syria. This initiative was supported by the European Union.

UOSSM Supports the Central Referral System in Idlib

UOSSM is supporting the central referral system in northern Syria to achieve the highest level of medical response possible to those who need it. The referral system consists of 64 ambulances and 5 specialized transport vehicles for patients in need of kidney dialysis. The referral system has over 190 staff. The ambulances are distributed over 64 points in 3 different regions: Northern Region- 20 vehicles, Central Region-24 vehicles (Idlib and surrounding areas), and Western Region- 20 vehicles. UOSSM continues to provide medical care and medical services to as many areas of Syria as possible, to those who need it most.

Impact Story- Ibrahim Can Now Walk on His Own!

Ibrahim Alissa was born prematurely. His lack of oxygen caused him to develop cerebral palsy. He couldn’t crawl, stand, or walk on his own. His lower muscles were very stiff. He began visiting UOSSM’s Physiotherapy Center in Gaziantep at the age of 1.

A specialized physiotherapy treatment plan was developed for Ibrahim, with immediate and future goals in mind; to loosen his stiff muscles so he can move more easily, strengthening those muscles, so he could ultimately balance himself and walk on his own. Thanks to our supporters Ibrahim is walking on his own! Together, we are saving lives and building hope.

Please click here to watch the video about Ibrahim.

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

In 2019:

  • UOSSM provided medical services to almost 1.5 million people in Syria and Turkey
  • UOSSM provided primary health care services to over 235,000 people
  • UOSSM provided protection services to over 29,000 people
  • UOSSM provided over 93,500 beneficiaries with nutrition services focused on
    women and children
  • UOSSM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services provided care to over 34,000  people
  • UOSSM Bab Al Hawa Hospital provided health care services to over 1 million patients since establishment through the end of 2019