Skip to content
Anera
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Gaza
      • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Our Priorities
      • Stories
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
Anera
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Gaza
      • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Our Priorities
      • Stories
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Where We Work
  • How to Help
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Videos
  • Blog
Donate
HEALTH

This Hospital is Rebuilding 15 Years of Work

“We were able to provide first aid support by using the flashlights of our cell phones."

The Hopital des Soeurs du Rosaire (Rosary Sisters Hospital) was severely damaged by the port explosion in Beirut, Lebanon last August. The private, nonprofit hospital is located just a few hundred meters from the blast site. Ten days after the blast, Sister Nicolas Akiki, head of the operations, radiology and laboratory department, recorded a video appeal from her office on the ground floor of the destroyed hospital.

“Everything was on the ground. Fifteen years of work was in rubble.”

One nurse was killed and eight more were severely wounded by the explosion. Many other staff sustained minor injuries. The hospital’s breast care center was completely destroyed, and the pharmacy and storage facilities were seriously damaged. The hospital lost millions of dollars worth of medicines and medical supplies.

Sister Nicolas Akiki in her office.
Sister Nicolas Akiki. Photos by Ali Annan.
beirut-blast-map

To respond to the urgent need to replace medicines destroyed in the explosion, International Health Partners generously donated a shipment of 46,470 units of the antibiotic vancomycin.

ABOUT THIS MEDICINE

Vancomycin is in a class of medications called glycopeptide antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria in the intestines. It is used by medical professionals within hospitals in post-operative care and to treat serious infections such as endocarditis (an infection of the heart lining and valves), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen), and infections of the lungs, skin, blood, and bones.

Medical Aid

"We have preserved our employees' jobs thanks to the donations and support we receive."

The 200-bed hospital in the Gemmayze neighborhood of Beirut has always depended on donors and charitable organizations to operate. Supplies of vancomycin don’t last long as a typical course of treatment requires a substantial number of doses. Doctors are now forced to prescribe less effective alternatives in the absence of vancomycin and many other basic medicines.

“Given its high consumption rate, we need a lot of vancomycin and other antibiotics, as well as several anesthetics used in operating rooms,” says Josiane Kanaan, pharmacy officer at the Rosary Sisters Hospital. “Everyone is afraid that the government will stop subsidizing anesthetics."

Josiane Kanaan and Anera staff walk through a hospital area under construction.
Josiane Kanaan walks us through the areas under repair. Photos by Ali Annan.

“I will never forget the moment of the blast,” Akika says. “I thank God that most of the staff had already left for the day, which lessened the number of injuries among our employees.

"The scene was terrifying. Some people had fallen from the buildings nearby into the hospital's parking lot. There was chaos and panic all around us as we rushed to evacuate patients from the upper floors to ambulances to transport them to other hospitals outside the capital, or to their homes."

“Our emergency department was destroyed, but injured people started arriving in need of emergency treatment and we could not turn them away."

"Despite the power cuts and all the turmoil, we were able to provide first aid by using the flashlights of our cell phones."

Although the hospital’s capacities are reduced while repairing the extensive damage caused by the Beirut blast, they are continuing to provide all the care they can to patients. Fortunately, the below-ground operating rooms on the lower floors suffered minimal damage and remained functional.

With the help of numerous international organizations and donors and volunteers from civil society, the staff have started renovating their hospital. They are now receiving patients in the radiology department and laboratory. And they are again providing outpatient treatments such as cardiac catheterization, minor surgeries and chemotherapy.

Akiki says,

“Despite the aggravation of the economic crisis and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic at an accelerating pace, we have preserved our employees' jobs thanks to the donations and support we receive."

"Anera and its donors have kindly provided support by giving us free medicines that include antibiotics, various medical supplies, and personal protective equipment. This last donation of [vancomycin] from IHP is extremely beneficial and much needed.”

A nurse stands amid a small crowd outside the hospital.
The nun Serene saw outside the hospital the day after the blast. Photo by Serene Dardari.

“The day after the Beirut blast I walked for hours amid the rubble, observing the destruction. It was devastating but I managed to stop myself from crying until I passed by the Rosary Sisters Hospital. A nun was standing by the entrance. Her face was neutral, but at the same time expressed a million contradictory feelings — anger, sadness, disappointment and fear. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore. This was real.”

— Serene Dardari, Anera’s communications manager in Lebanon

Sign up for emails from Anera!

!
Sign Up
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
SHARE THIS STORY

Related Stories

Protecting Vulnerable Women And Girls Through Vocational Training

Read More →
A young man accepts a hygiene bag and clothing

Aid Helps Syrian Refugees Protect Themselves

Read More →

More About Anera

Anera addresses the development and relief needs of refugees and vulnerable communities in Palestine and Lebanon. 

Anera is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax-ID number 52-0882226). Your gift is secure and tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Contact Us

WHO WE ARE

Site Map

  • Who We Are
  • Where We Work
  • What We Do
  • How to Help
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Join Our Team

Join Us

Learn how you can help hope find a way in Palestine and Lebanon.

Follow Us on Social Media

© Anera, 2020 | Print This Page | Site Credit
  • FAQ
  • TRUSTED & RESPECTED
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITE MAP