al-Suqaylabiyah Hospital faces lack of equipment, staff

The National Hospital of al-Suqaylabiyah in the western Hama countryside is considered a primary health center serving the city of al-Suqaylabiyah and its surroundings. However, it suffers from the CT scanner being out of service, a shortage of X-ray machines, and outdated equipment in the dialysis and intensive care units, which limits its ability to provide medical services as required, according to our correspondents.

Citizen Ahmad Masoud (55 years old), who suffers from coronary artery disease, says he was transferred to al-Suqaylabiyah Hospital after suffering a heart attack. However, the lack of a specialized cardiologist required his transfer to Hama Hospital. He added that his family incurred over 200,000 Syrian pounds in ambulance fees, which could have been avoided if the necessary staff were available at the hospital.

As Hassan Bakour, the father of a child who suffered complex fractures, recounts, the malfunction of the CT scanner for months forced his family to travel to the city of Hama for the scan and its review, which doubled the family's suffering and treatment costs.

The hospital staff confirmed that the institution continues to provide its emergency and therapeutic services, including the blood bank, dialysis department, laboratory, radiology, and inpatient departments. However, the shortage of medical and nursing staff, along with the aging equipment, limits its ability to meet the increasing needs.

According to the same sources, the number of monthly services provided by the hospital increased from about 40,000 services before the return of residents to their areas to between 80,000 and 85,000 services currently, which has doubled the pressure on the infrastructure and health services.

The director of al-Suqaylabiyah Hospital, Dr. Ta'ma Shahada, had previously confirmed in statements that the hospital is facing increasing pressure due to the return of residents to the area, and that the radiology department is suffering from a severe shortage of equipment, with several medical devices out of order. He called for the provision of modern imaging devices and the reinforcement of medical and nursing staff to meet the needs of the residents.

The Ministry of Health in the interim government also indicated this year the hospital's needs for medical supplies and equipment, as part of field tours to assess the state of the health sector in Hama Governorate.

Residents and healthcare workers are demanding the swift replacement of the CT scanner and the provision of modern X-ray machines, in addition to supplying the hospital with specialized doctors and nursing staff, to ensure the continuity of medical services and reduce the burden of travel and treatment on patients.

ANHA