May, 2015
Even in their new-found safety in Lebanon, refugees from the Syrian war continue to endure its impact.
Having run out of options, Oussama Mkayess and his family fled Aleppo in 2012 and sought refuge in Souk El Gharb, Mount Lebanon, in the heart of the country.
The 43-year old father of four fled to Lebanon with his wife and parents when the armed clashes finally reached Salah El Dine area of his home town of Aleppo. He left behind an extended family, a grocery store, and all his dreams. He and his family resettled in the Lebanese mountains in a two-room house that lacks heat, electricity and access to clean water.
Then more bad news arrived: “We received a disturbing phone call informing us of the death of my uncle and all his family in heavy shelling over Aleppo,” Oussama remembers. “My father couldn’t handle the news and collapsed.” He had suffered a heart attack. Oussama rushed him to the hospital.
We received a disturbing phone call informing us of the death of my uncle and all his family in heavy shelling over Aleppo. My father couldn’t handle the news and collapsed.
Then more bad news arrived: “We received a disturbing phone call informing us of the death of my uncle and all his family in heavy shelling over Aleppo,” Oussama remembers. “My father couldn’t handle the news and collapsed.” He had suffered a heart attack. Oussama rushed him to the hospital.
Thanks to timely medical intervention, Oussama’s father, Ali, recovered and was put on a comprehensive medical treatment to follow after he was discharged from the hospital. The one-year treatment plan consisted of several medicines, including Clopidogrel. “This medicine is vital but very expensive and I cannot afford it,” says Oussama. “I had to ask the pharmacy for a cheaper alternative but it was impossible.” Eventually, he says his father just stopped taking it.
Medicine to Lebanon Brings Hope Amid Tragedy
Oussama’s nightmare has ended, thanks to a generous donation of medicine from Health Partners International – Canada, an organization Anera has partnered with since 2013 to deliver life-saving medicine. Oussama’s father, like many other heart patients, will receive Clopidogrel at no cost. In collaboration with its local partner, the YMCA, Anera delivered around 2 Million tablets of Clopidogrel to benefit at least 5,500 cardiac cases in Lebanon for the coming year.
Carole Tobaji, nurse manager at St. George Dispensary in Souk el Gharb explains that Clopidogrel is a very expensive medicine and patients need to take it for a minimum of one year. “Some patients stop the treatment after one month because they simply cannot afford it,” she explains. “But now we have enough here in our pharmacy to treat our 70 heart patients for the year.”
