SM Primary Health Care Center in the Homs suburbs was shelled yesterday, killing three patients, critically wounding two others and heavily damaging the structure.
The PHC began operating in June 2014 and provides services to approximately 6000-7000 patients a month with 23% of patients under the age of five years old. The center consists of a birthing center, a pharmacy, a laboratory, and five clinics; an Ob/Gynecological, a pediatric, internal medicine and two family practice clinics. The center also provides nutrition services.
The PHC has been targeted on 5 separate occasions. In July the facility was put out of service after a targeted airstrike and in the end of December 2015, the center was severely damaged. Both times, the center was repaired and put back into service.
There were also reports of a chlorine gas attack yesterday, not verified by UOSSM, against civilians on the morning of November 7 in the town of Khan Al-Assal. 10 kilometers west of Northern Aleppo.
Video Released by the “White Helmets” on the gas attack:
The attack comes six days after 149 UN member states voted in favor of a draft resolution on chemical weapons :
“The General Assembly would condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances, emphasizing that any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anyone, under any circumstances was unacceptable as well as a violation of international law. The world body would also express its strong conviction that those individuals responsible for the use of chemical weapons must and should be held accountable.” – United Nations
The bombing of medical facilities and use of chemical weapons against civilians is appalling and shameful. UOSSM condemns these attacks and calls for a full investigation by the international community. To stop these war crimes, perpetrators must be held accountable.
UOSSM (Union des Organisations de Secours et Soins Médicaux) provides free medical aid to the people of Syria regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or political affiliation. UOSSM international, founded by Syrian Doctors around the world, started in 2012 and operates 12 major hospitals and supports 120 clinics inside Syria. UOSSM has performed over 1,000,000 medical treatments inside Syria since inception.
