On behalf of the Independent Doctors Association, we would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all Muslims on the blessed month of Ramadan. We pray that this Ramadan will be a source of peace, joy, and blessings for all.
More than a million displaced Syrian are trying hard to live where hundreds of random, remote camps located near to the Syrian- Turkish borders,
the last rainstorm hit northwest Syria, many camps were damaged and left the families without a shelter as well as the mud has blocked the movements,
This suffering hasn’t happened once this year; it’s every year suffering; it’s gaining year after year,
Away from the world, every tent hides a story behind it
Faces of children and elders telling hundreds of tragic stories as residue from alienation and torment
40 team of Independent Doctors Association, they work to improve the health of children and women through repeated visits to camps,
In the photos, a part of the community health team visit the random camps located near the Syrian Turkish borders,
Khadija, a team leader of the IDA community health team, says:
We visit camps to follow up on children and women’s health no matter how difficult it is to reach them. We provide supplementary feeding and spread awareness among the IDPs,
We feel sad because we could not move them to better places and not provide for their needs. I’ve seen children freezing from cold during my visits,
It’s difficult to describe how hard their life is,
I wish I could have the resources to make their lives like any normal children and ask myself, what if I were in their parents’ shoes? What a feeling I would try when I’m helpless to make their life better?!!
Primary health care is a whole-of-society approach to health and well-being centred on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. It addresses the broader determinants of health and focuses on the comprehensive and interrelated aspects of physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.
Photos of the primary care services at the Independent Doctors ِAssocation
Providing the highest standards of health care services
Breastmilk remains a great food for children between 6-24 months. Women with COVID-19 can continue to breastfeed if they wish to do so. They should, however, practice respiratory hygiene during feeding, wearing a mask where available; wash their hands before and after touching the baby, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces they have touched. If too unwell to breastfeed due to the virus or other complications, mothers should be supported to safely provide newborns with breastmilk in any way possible.
While at present there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it may be possible that people can become infected by touching a surface or object contaminated by the virus and then touching their face. The higher risk, though, comes from being in close contact with other people while food shopping or receiving a food delivery. As always, good hygiene is important when handling food to prevent any food-borne illnesses.
Remove any unnecessary packaging and dispose into a waste bin with a lid. Packaging like cans can be wiped clean with a disinfectant before being opened or stored. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, immediately afterwards.
Wash unpackaged produce, such as fruit and vegetables, thoroughly under running water.
Purchasing, storing and cooking fresh vegetables can be challenging in a lockdown, especially when parents are advised to limit trips outside of the home. But wherever possible, it’s important to ensure children are still getting plenty of fruit and vegetables in their diet.
Whenever it is possible to get hold of fresh produce, do so. As well as being eaten fresh, fruits and vegetables can be frozen where possible and will retain most of their nutrients and flavour. Using fresh vegetables to cook large batches of soups, stews or other dishes will make them last longer and provide meal options for a few days. These can also be frozen where possible and then quickly reheated.
Fresh produce is almost always the best option, but when it is not available there are plenty of healthy alternatives that are easy to store and prepare.
Canned beans and chickpeas, which provide an abundance of nutrients, can be stored for months or even years, and can be included in meals in many ways. Canned oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and salmon are rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids and a range of vitamins and minerals. These can be used cold in sandwiches, salads or pasta dishes, or cooked as part of a warm meal.
Canned vegetables, such as tomatoes, do tend to contain lower quantities of vitamins than fresh produce, but they are a great fallback option when fresh produce or frozen vegetables are hard to come by.
Dried goods like dried beans, pulses and grains such as lentils, split peas, rice, couscous or quinoa are also nutritious, long-lasting options that are tasty, affordable and filling. Rolled oats cooked with milk or water can serve as an excellent breakfast option, and can be spiced up with yoghurt, chopped fruits or raisins.
Children often need to eat a snack or two during the day to keep them going. Rather than giving kids sweets or salty snacks, opt for healthier options like nuts, cheese, yoghurt (preferably unsweetened), chopped or dried fruits, boiled eggs, or other locally available healthy options. These foods are nutritious, more filling, and help build healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.
While using fresh produce may not always be possible, try to limit the amount of highly processed foods in your shopping basket. Ready-to-eat meals, packaged snacks and desserts are often high in saturated fat, sugars and salt. If you do purchase processed foods, look at the label and try to choose healthier options containing less of these substances. Try to also avoid sugary drinks and instead drink lots of water. Adding fruits or vegetables like lemon, lime, cucumber slices or berries to water is a great way to add an extra twist of flavour.
Cooking and eating together is a great way to create healthy routines, strengthen family bonds and have fun. Wherever you can, involve your children in food preparation – small children can help with washing or sorting food items while older children can take on more complex tasks and help to set the table.
Try as much as possible to stick to fixed mealtimes as a family. Such structures and routine can help reduce anxiety for children in these stressful situations.
Hassan Ibrahim Suleiman is a 5-year-old child, who lives in Al-Dhahirah village, 15 km from the Hope Hospital located in Al-Ghandorah city. “Hassan” had visited the Hope Hospital after his health condition deteriorated. The father of the child, Ibrahim Suleiman, tells us about the suffering of his child, as he visited several medical centers before visiting the Hope Hospital, but to no avail.
The child was accepted, and he was suffering, according to the initial complaint, from a high fever, accompanied by a very severe afferent weakness, in addition to general weakness and abdominal pain.
The pediatrician at the Hope Hospital conducted a careful examination of the child, where after listening to the chest it was found that there was a soft purr in the right pulmonary square. The doctor asked to perform analyzes and x-rays, after which there was a density of the right pulmonary square and the result of the blood tests showed a high rise in the percentage of CRP where its value at admission was 218.
The child was admitted to the inpatient department, and after 3 days, a chest ECO was performed, the image showed a right side effusion, as a result of infection with swine flu H1N1, where we changed the medication coverage and gave appropriate antibiotics for the child with a treatment period that lasted thirteen days under intensive care. After that, he had discharged in excellent general condition and good health, according to the results of the analysis and x-ray.
We asked the child’s father to revisit the hospital after 15 days to check on the child’s health condition and to perform new analyzes.
The Hope Hospital provides health care to thousands of patients monthly and the child’s condition “Hassan” is one of dozens of urgent cases were received by the Hope Hospital.
Caring for the life and future of children is the primary goal of the survival of the Hope Hospital.
April 7th WorldHealthDay is all about celebrating nurses & midwives. Now more than ever we are thankful for their bravery and hard work.
Show your gratitude too!
IDA takes several precautionary and preventive measures in hospitals and health centers in the Aleppo and Idlib countrysides, to preventing coronavirus, through periodic sterilization of health facilities, CHW instructs awareness to beneficiaries about proper prevention ways From the virus.
Pictures to the sterilization of Hope Specialist Hospital for Pediatrics and Gynecology, East Aleppo.
