#USA #Washington #SAMS #Syrian American Medical Society #Healthcare Missions

Syrian American Medical Society's Recent Efforts

In a focused initiative to deliver crucial medical support, the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) has wrapped up significant missions aimed at aiding communities suffering from the aftermath of conflict in Syria and Jordan. During this endeavor, over 120 American healthcare professionals collaborated with local volunteers, achieving a remarkable impact across two regions ravaged by war.

Mission Overview

From April 19 to 25, a team of more than 80 U.S. volunteers and 145 Jordanian counterparts worked in harmony to provide healthcare to Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Jordan. The efforts took place across 17 different locations, where they treated over 2,500 patients and performed 353 surgeries across various specialties including cardiology, ophthalmology, dentistry, ENT, OB-GYN, and plastic surgery.

Dr. Hend Azhary, who led the Jordan mission, stated, "Our mission wasn't just about delivering care—it was about creating a sustainable impact through education and collaboration." In addition to hands-on medical care, the team organized five scientific lectures at local institutions, educating more than 450 medical students in vital disciplines such as radiology and family medicine. This educational approach emphasizes the dual focus of SAMS: providing immediate care while also fostering long-term improvements in local healthcare systems.

Efforts in Syria

Simultaneously, another team of 38 U.S.-based physicians headed into Syria from April 20 to 25, focusing on five governorates: Hama, Homs, Idlib, Aleppo, and Damascus. This mission successfully conducted 1,093 patient consultations and performed 369 surgeries, alongside a comprehensive training program for 1,199 local healthcare workers through 59 hands-on sessions.

Dr. Amjad Rass, who led the Syria delegation, remarked, "This mission was a powerful step forward in rebuilding Syria's healthcare system from the inside out." The training encompassed specialized areas such as oncology, cardiac surgery, neonatology, and anesthesiology, aimed at equipping local providers with advanced medical techniques necessary for improving care standards in their communities.

Sustainable Impact and Future Plans

SAMS is committed to enhancing its medical missions, venturing into newly accessible areas of Syria to provide consistent healthcare access and to support the reconstruction of a resilient national healthcare system. This commitment is crucial given that more than a decade of war has severely crippled Syria's healthcare infrastructure, resulting in millions of refugees lacking specialized medical care, while over 70% of healthcare professionals have been displaced or hindered from practicing effectively.

This broader scope of care—not limited to urgent interventions but focused on resilience and sustainability—underscores the mission of SAMS and their collaborative efforts. The organization aims to create a foundation of hope and health not just through immediate medical aid, but also by empowering local healthcare workers to support their communities in the long run.

For those interested in supporting these noble missions, additional information can be found at www.sams-usa.net, where one can learn more about SAMS' work and the broader context of the healthcare crisis in the region.