Syria earthquake: Aleppo Hospitals Overwhelmed by Victims

Hospitals in Aleppo do not have enough room for new patients in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake, a doctor in the Syrian city says. Reports said.

At the Al-Razi Hospital there are too many beds to fit into the wards. They reach end-to-end through corridors and into the chilly courtyard.

“We weren’t able to discharge patients from the hospitals even after treating them. The city is damaged and there are no places for them to go,” said Dr Nizar Suleiman, the head of orthopaedics.

“Huge numbers of patients came in a short period of time. We have a huge shortage in medicines, so it’s really worrying.

“For example, we suffer from a lack of medical equipment to treat fractures. We already suffer from this shortage because of the crisis, and the siege, sanctions, make it worse.”

More than 4,400 deaths and 7,600 injuries have been reported in north-western Syria since a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring southern Turkey on 6 February, according to the UN.

The damage to Aleppo is widespread.

Over a week after the earthquake the chance of finding anyone alive in the rubble is slim. But patients keep arriving at Al-Razi Hospital.

Abu Muhammad, who spent about 24 hours trapped under the rubble, lies among other survivors on a ward. He lost his wife and three of his five children in the earthquake. He looks at a colourful photo on his phone showing his family in happier times.

“They went to Heaven, they are now with God,” he says, tearfully.

He is thankful for one thing: “God saved my mobile phone for the sake of remembering them, so at least I can look at their pictures every time I miss them.”

Tens of thousands of people are now living in churches, mosques or in public spaces and parks after losing their homes.

BBC /Shakirat Sadiq