News Article: Syrian Refugee in Jordan Faces Amputation Due to Lack of Treatment
Khitam Amer, BBC Arabic, Jordan
20 June 2023, 09:25 GMT
Abu Qassem, a Syrian refugee living in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan, is facing the amputation of his right foot due to his inability to receive the necessary treatment for his kidney failure. Abu Qassem, 52, fled the war in Syria and settled in Jordan with his family. Initially residing in the Zaatari camp, he later moved to Zarqa Governorate due to the difficult living conditions in the camp.
Abu Qassem has been suffering from kidney failure for about 5 years and requires three dialysis sessions per week. However, the cost of each session, approximately 40 Jordanian dinars ($56.39), is a significant financial burden for him. Despite reaching an agreement with a private hospital to reduce the cost, Abu Qassem still cannot afford the required number of sessions without assistance.
Previously, humanitarian organizations sponsored Abu Qassem’s treatment for certain periods, but they have stopped providing support due to funding conditions. As a result, Abu Qassem’s wife had to take their son out of school so he could work and contribute to his father’s treatment expenses.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan does not provide treatment for kidney failure and other diseases requiring long and continuous care due to the high duration and cost of treatment. However, the UNHCR is working to coordinate with other parties to transfer the files of patients with such diseases to ensure they receive treatment.
The UNHCR provides primary and secondary healthcare services, as well as some advanced services, to all registered refugees through health centers, government hospitals, and partner organizations. However, the number of patients and those receiving treatment is difficult to determine due to daily changes.
Abu Qassem’s case is not unique, as tens of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan face similar challenges in accessing healthcare. On World Refugee Day, which is celebrated on June 20th, the UNHCR honors the strength and courage of refugees worldwide. This year’s theme is “Hope far from home.”
Abu Qassem and his wife express their hope for proper treatment and emphasize the difficulties of returning to Syria due to the lack of healthcare facilities and frequent electricity cuts in hospitals.
According to official statistics from the UNHCR, there are 660,000 Syrian refugees registered in Jordan, with 81.7% living in urban areas and 18.3% residing in camps.
The plight of Abu Qassem highlights the urgent need for increased support and resources to ensure that Syrian refugees in Jordan receive the necessary healthcare and medical treatments they require.Title: Syrian Refugee with Kidney Failure Faces Amputation Due to Lack of Treatment
Date: 20 June 2023
Author: Khitam Amer, BBC Arabic, Jordan
Abu Qassem, a Syrian refugee living in Jordan, has recently undergone amputation of some toes in his right foot due to the high levels of toxins in his body caused by his inability to receive the necessary treatment for his kidney failure. Abu Qassem, 52, fled the war in Syria and now resides in Zarqa Governorate with his family.
Abu Qassem has been suffering from kidney failure for about 5 years and requires three sessions of dialysis per week. Each session costs approximately 40 Jordanian dinars ($56.39), and the total cost is beyond his means. Despite reaching an agreement with a private hospital to reduce the cost, he still cannot afford the required number of sessions without assistance.
Previously, humanitarian organizations sponsored Abu Qassem’s treatment for certain periods, but they have stopped providing support due to funding conditions. His wife, Umm Qassem, had to take their son out of school so he could work and help with his father’s treatment expenses.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Jordan (UNHCR) does not provide treatment for kidney failure and other diseases requiring long and continuous treatment due to the high duration and cost involved. However, the UNHCR is working to coordinate with other parties to transfer the files of patients suffering from these diseases to ensure they receive treatment.
The UNHCR provides primary and secondary healthcare services to all registered refugees at reduced prices through agreements with the Jordanian government. Additional healthcare services, such as social and psychological support, are also provided through partnerships with various organizations.
The UNHCR recommends that refugees maintain the validity of their documents to benefit from healthcare services at reduced prices through the facilities of the Jordanian Ministry of Health.
Abu Qassem’s case is not unique, as tens of thousands of Syrian refugees face similar challenges in accessing healthcare. On World Refugee Day, celebrated on June 20, the UNHCR honors the strength and courage of refugees who have been forced to flee their countries. This year’s theme is “Hope Far from Home.”
Umm Qassem expresses her hope that her husband will receive proper treatment, as his condition has deteriorated due to the lack of dialysis sessions. The exact number of patients and those receiving treatment is difficult to determine due to daily changes, but all refugees have access to healthcare services without discrimination.
Returning to Syria is not a viable option for Abu Qassem and his family due to the lack of treatment facilities and frequent electricity cuts in hospitals. They believe it is almost impossible to receive adequate treatment in their home country.
The plight of Abu Qassem highlights the urgent need for increased support and funding to ensure that refugees with chronic illnesses receive the necessary medical care. The international community must work together to address the healthcare challenges faced by refugees and provide them with hope for a better future.
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Cost. However, the UNHCR is working to coordinate with other parties to ensure that patients with these diseases receive the necessary treatment.
The UNHCR in Jordan provides primary and secondary healthcare services, as well as some advanced services, to all registered refugees through health centers, government hospitals, and partner organizations. However, the specific number of patients and those receiving treatment is difficult to determine due to daily changes.
Abu Qassem’s case reflects the challenges faced by many Syrian refugees in accessing healthcare in Jordan. On World Refugee Day, the UNHCR recognizes the strength and courage of refugees worldwide. This year’s theme is “Hope far from home.”
It is important to note that Abu Qassem’s case is not unique. Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan face similar challenges in accessing healthcare. The lack of healthcare facilities and frequent electricity cuts in hospitals prevent many refugees from receiving the proper treatment they require.
According to official statistics from the UNHCR, there are currently 660,000 registered Syrian refugees in Jordan, with 81.7% living in urban areas and 18.3% residing in camps.
Abu Qassem’s situation emphasizes the urgent need for increased support and resources to ensure that Syrian refugees in Jordan have access to the necessary healthcare and medical treatments they need.
This heartbreaking story highlights the urgent need for accessible healthcare for all refugees. It’s imperative that we come together and support charitable appeals like this, ensuring that no one is left without life-saving treatment.