The home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees for over half a century, Syria has since 2003 taken in over 1 million Iraqi refugees. The International Crisis Group estimates that 57% of Iraqis in Syria are affected by chronic medical conditions and a late 2007 survey conducted by IPSOS found depression and anxiety highly prevalent, affecting 89 percent and 82 percent respectively of registered refugees. 350,000 Iraqis visited Syrian Arab Red Crescent clinics between January 2007 and April 2008, whereas UNRWA estimates over 1 million annual medical and dental patient visits by Palestinian refugees. While the Syrian government and international organizations provide basic services to the refugee communities, a significant need for additional resources, support and expertise remains.

            This medical mission, organized by a professor and a graduate student at Georgetown University, sought to address this need by connecting American-trained doctors, nurses, and other health professionals with clinics and institutions in Syria and providing them a platform to provide training, assistance, and consultation to health care professionals on the ground that treat Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. Volunteers worked through United Nations agencies and sponsored clinics throughout Damascus, both working alongside local staff to diagnose and treat patients in need and leading workshops for health care professionals on relevant topics.

The panel discussion of this vital mission featured:

Dr. Stephen Brockway
CPMC psychiatrist
Dr. Rochelle Davis (unable to attend)
Assistant Professor of Anthropology at GeorgetownUniversity & trip organizer
Nancy Stark
UCSF NP

View the PowerPoint (as a .pdf file) for this presentation by clicking on the picture below.