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A young girl quietly navigates the hospital’s fifth floor alongside her friend, both displaying a spark of innocence even in the face of adversity. With anticipation, the 12-year-old Iraqi wears her newly-acquired sparkling shoes, a recent purchase meant for a party she yearned to attend. However, the following day, she will undergo leg amputation.
The surgery, originally scheduled for two weeks prior, was postponed by the physician who delivered the difficult news with an emotional restraint. The girl had expressed her desire to wear her special shoes to the party beforehand, prompting the delay.
Her companion, an 11-year-old girl from Yemen, bears visible reminders of past trauma, with burn scars shimmering on her scalp. These injuries are remnants of an incident four years ago in which an overcrowded truck, transporting refugees escaping from Saudi air strikes, crashed.
Both girls are among a diverse group of up to 110 war-injured patients receiving care at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Mowasah hospital in Amman, Jordan. In addition, there are approximately 400 others on a waiting list for treatment, highlighting the overwhelming demand for medical services in this context, with MSF having performed over 8,500 surgeries to date.
The hospital stands out as a premier institution for reconstructive and orthopedic surgery, complemented by comprehensive physiotherapy and psychological support, aimed at ensuring optimal recovery for patients impacted by conflict.
Roshan Kumarasamy, the hospital’s director and an experienced figure in MSF’s work in conflict zones, notes, “The variety of nationalities among our patients reflects the ongoing conflicts throughout the region.” Overwhelmingly, they come from places afflicted by strife, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, and Gaza, many struggling with PTSD or feelings of survivor’s guilt.
He emphasizes the unique nature of Mowasah hospital, saying, “There is no other facility like this globally; we specialize uniquely in improving quality of life post-conflict.”
MSF is currently one of three organizations benefitting from the Guardian and Observer’s 2024 appeal for conflict victims, alongside War Child and Parallel Histories, which has collectively raised over £1 million to assist those affected by war.
In Mowasah, injuries are frequently the result of various forms of explosive violence—improvised devices, shrapnel from missiles, and other devastating impacts of conflict.
Taha Saleh, a Yemeni video journalist, carries scars that narrate his life-threatening experience when a bullet penetrated his skull during an incident in 2015. He recounts, “Due to the overwhelming number of injured, medical staff prioritized cases, and I was left among those presumed to be dying.”
Saleh recounts nearly a decade of struggling to receive appropriate medical care in Yemen, suffering from debilitating pain that made daily life a challenge. However, after a month at Mowasah receiving both physical rehabilitation and psychological support, he has seen remarkable improvement: “I can finally envision a future, and I feel fortunate to be returning home to Yemen soon.”
During his recovery, Saleh formed a friendship with Ahmed Jalal, another patient whose life was irrevocably changed by an explosion that left him without the use of one arm. After receiving emergency care at an MSF facility in Aden, he was referred to Mowasah for specialized treatment, which included bone-lengthening surgery. He recently shared, “I’m grateful for the care I’ve received; it means I can pursue work and build a family.”
Each patient’s journey is underscored by personal struggles, although Dr. Hanna Janho, the lead orthopedic surgeon, often refrains from delving deeply into their backgrounds. “Initially, I would ask their stories, but each narrative can become an emotional burden,” he admits. His focus remains on clinical outcomes—repairing injuries caused by conflict and restoring function.
Dr. Janho treats patients who often return multiple times for procedures to address complex orthopedic issues resulting from trauma, with bullets causing catastrophic damage to bones. He notes the critical role of referrals from MSF clinics in the patients’ home countries, stressing that selections for treatment at Mowasah are carefully debated by the medical team.
Over time, Dr. Janho observes a consistent expression of gratitude and relief from his patients as they reclaim mobility and alleviate pain through his surgical interventions. “Typically, we start seeing patients about two years post-conflict, which explains the current influx of Yemeni individuals,” he explains.
Da’ed Almneaid, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes the comprehensive approach of the hospital’s mental health team, which promotes an environment of mutual support among patients. “In many Arab cultures, there exists a reluctance to voice suffering due to collective hardship, leading to a stigma around mental health. Our goal is to facilitate dialogue and normalize emotional struggles,” she states.
Almneaid reflects on their work with the young girl facing amputation, ensuring that both she and the medical staff felt prepared and supported throughout the process.
The establishment of Mowasah hospital was spearheaded by a collective of Iraqi doctors. One significant figure, Dr. Rasheed Fakhri, credits the evolution of the hospital’s purpose to its initial experiences. “MSF tends to focus on immediate, life-saving interventions, yet we quickly recognized a need for subsequent specialized care, like soft tissue repairs, which are crucial for our patients’ recovery,” he shared.
Dr. Samar Ismail leads the innovative 3D printing initiatives for prosthetics, focusing on individualized support for burn victims and those in need of assistive technology. Currently, she is working with Janeyah Ahmad, a Yemeni adolescent struggling with facial burns, to fit a specialized mask that aids in her healing.
“Creating customized devices requires us to think creatively and adaptively,” Dr. Ismail explains, reflecting on the self-learning journey since they commenced 3D printing in 2017. “Our goal is to enhance the daily lives of our patients, like the young boy who lost his hand. We designed a prosthetic attachment allowing him to sharpen pencils like his peers, a simple yet profound improvement to his quality of life.”
Dr. Ismail concludes with satisfaction, “These small victories exemplify the essence of our work.”
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www.theguardian.com