Thirteen years on from the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the country continues to suffer a severe humanitarian crisis. An estimated 16.7 million people urgently need humanitarian assistance. Mass displacement, widespread food insecurity and the destruction of infrastructure have left many people without access to the essential goods and services they need.
The conflict has put immense strain on the country’s healthcare system. Health facilities have been damaged in the fighting, outbreaks of disease have devastated communities, and shortages of medical supplies and expertise mean that many are cut off from assistance.
Mesraba, a town located in Rural Damascus, is one of the areas where people have lost access to medical services. For the host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the town, even basic medical care is often out of reach. Adam Abdul Rahman Rajab was one of two twins born on January 26, 2024, via c-section. Weighing 2.3kg at birth, he was generally healthy in his early life. However, by April, his parents started to worry about his health. His abdomen was swollen and he was crying more than normal. His mother decided that he needed medical attention.
Adam’s mother brought him to the pediatric clinic in Mesraba, which is supported by International Medical Corps through funding from the European Union. The clinic provides healthcare services for children in the local area.
The doctors assessed Adam and found that though he had no fever, vomiting or other alarming symptoms, he had a right inguinal hernia containing loops of intestine. If left untreated, the hernia could have become strangulated, leading to severe complications such as bowel obstruction or tissue necrosis.
Recognizing the urgency of Adam’s condition, the International Medical Corps team swiftly arranged for a surgical consultation. Within days, Adam underwent successful surgery to repair the wide inguinal hernia.
This rapid intervention was critical in preventing the hernia from strangulating—a complication that could have been dangerous for the infant.
Thanks to the timely coordination between the health team and the contracted hospital’s pediatric surgical team, Adam’s condition was fully resolved. The quick, lifesaving surgery repaired Adam’s hernia, while the coordination between International Medical Corps and the surgical team highlighted the importance of timely medical interventions in such critical cases.
Today, Adam is recovering well. His parents are overjoyed by his improved health and deeply thankful for the assistance of International Medical Corps and the European Union. The team’s swift action may well have saved baby Adam’s life.
