Doctors daily life in Syria's conflict areas

Life of many doctors in Syria have changed dramatically, especially those who lived or worked in hot areas. We all remember Dr. Mohammed Almohammed, the dentist from Baba-Amr who run the field hospital during the conflict and siege of Baba-Amr in 2012.

Dr. Karam, graduated in 2009 and started his specialty in ENT, but did not have chance to finish it because of Syrian revolution, when his professional life have changed dramatically, especially after a moving incidence happened to him, when he with his colleagues were trying to save life a drowned boy. At the time, and after half an hour of life support, the child showed no signs of life, however, when the medical stuff decided to announce him dead, the child started to show uncertain signs of life, which encouraged Dr. Karam to carry on his life support procedures, ignoring all advices to stop. Luckily, the child had recovered and still alive till now.

That incidence made Dr. Karam decide not to give up helping patients who are in their critical condition and seem dead till he try all possible treatments and procedures.

Dr. Karam spends his day treating people from all medical conditions, and his experience and attitude have changed especially after liberating the Ghouta.

“Of course I treat people with ENT problem, besides cases of General Medicine, and wounded patients because of shooting and explosion. One time, my colleague and I had to do 23 chest drainage within 10 hours for victims of an explosion and we manage to save lives of more than a half of them.” Dr. Karam said.

He is not happy with available resources and staff, he said that they lack essential medical materials for treating people like antibiotic, alcohol, gauze, siring, needles, cotton, blood and serums.

In the end, Dr. karam feels that the revolution gave him a chance to have great deal of experience, he would have not been able to have otherwise in 20 years.

Reporting by Lama Shammas and Yusra Ahmed