The crisis in Syria has been marked by immense challenges and suffering. Conflict and displacement have severely strained the healthcare system, leaving many communities with limited access to essential medical services.
Amid this adversity, the support of International Medical Corps has played a critical role in offering health-related services to those in need, and helped to ensure that crucial healthcare services are available to those affected by conflict and displacement.
Born in 2020 in Misraba, Maryam’s early days were marred by a distressing health condition. Her parents, grappling with harsh realities of post-conflict life, grew increasingly concerned about a significant swelling above Maryam’s right labia. Fearing a congenital malformation, they sought assistance from an International Medical Corps mobile medical team (MMT) in Misraba, rural Damascus.
Hope for Maryam came from Dr. Suha Knoozi, a pediatrician and team leader for MMT2 in rural Damascus, who conducted a thorough evaluation of Maryam during her first visit to our pediatrics clinic in early August 2023. In addition to the condition described above, Maryam showed symptoms of fever, lack of appetite and cough.
To the surprise of Maryam’s parents, Dr. Suha diagnosed a correctable condition—a right inguinal non-strangulated hernia causing a substantial swelling above the right labia. She also provided treatment for an upper respiratory tract infection, and initiated a surgical referral for the hernia through the International Medical Corps Damascus office.
The successful surgical procedure was performed by a pediatric surgeon, and averted the looming threat of hernia strangulation—a potential life-threatening complication.
Maryam returned for postoperative evaluation in September and December, with and now requires no additional follow-ups. Maryam’s family, unable to afford such services independently, expressed profound gratitude for the assistance provided by International Medical Corps through its MMT.
