Damascus, June 3 (SANA) The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) Hospital in Damascus has treated nearly 20,000 patients in its emergency department since the beginning of the year, while performing 1,100 surgeries and conducting more than 25,000 laboratory tests, hospital officials said on Wednesday, despite shortages of key medical equipment.
Mohammad Emad al-Qabbani, director-general of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), said approximately 28,000 patients underwent X-ray and ultrasound examinations during the same period, while outpatient clinics received nearly 20,000 additional visitors.
Al-Qabbani said the hospital relies on a staff of 60 specialist physicians, 340 resident doctors and 100 nurses, noting that medical personnel continue to provide services despite limited resources.
He added that the hospital remains the only one among the three facilities operated by the Damascus Health Directorate that lacks a CT scanner, describing the device as a critical diagnostic tool and expressing hope that one will be secured in the near future.
As part of efforts to reduce operating costs, Al-Qabbani said the hospital recently installed a new oxygen generation station expected to save nearly 1 billion Syrian pounds. He added that work was underway to connect the facility to an electricity line exempt from power rationing, a move aimed at reducing reliance on generators, lowering fuel consumption and minimizing maintenance costs.
The hospital has received only a limited number of medical devices through donations this year, including an anesthesia machine and two surgical devices. However, its investment plan includes the purchase of additional anesthesia equipment as well as upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy systems.
The facility also operates a dialysis unit equipped with eight machines, providing around 58 treatment sessions each week, in addition to an intensive care unit and a biological infusion department staffed by specialized medical and nursing teams.
Al-Qabbani said the hospital is seeking to recruit additional nurses and resident physicians, particularly in the internal medicine department, to meet growing demand for healthcare services.
He also revealed plans to renovate the hospital’s surgical operating unit, with technical preparations for the project nearing completion, while rehabilitation of the emergency and dialysis departments remains dependent on donor funding.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent Hospital is one of three public hospitals affiliated with the Damascus Health Directorate and provides emergency care, surgery, internal medicine, intensive care, dialysis, medical imaging and laboratory services.
R.D/ABD
