Qatar Charity (QC) has conducted a paramedic intensive training course for 100 Syrian volunteers in Lebanon, in collaboration with Lebanon’s Islamic Medical Association (IMA).

“Training these paramedics meets the needs of Syrians at home and the funding from QC has also supplied all the equipment that will be used to provide medical aid for Syrians at the border,” said Mohammed bin Ali al-Ghamidi, executive director for international development at QC.

“The project is the first of a series of projects to provide training, in collaboration with IMA, to make up for the severe shortage of paramedics in Syria, which increases as the number of injured people climbs,” he added.

He explained that the presence of paramedics in the field will save many lives as the injured currently go without medical aid. Health projects are a major component of QC’s current work for Syria, he pointed out.

The conclusion of the course was held in a special graduation ceremony attended by
officials from QC and IMA.

“Qatar Charity’s pioneering relief efforts in Syria are clear to all, especially in the field of healthcare, where it has been the forerunner since the beginning of the revolution; providing support to treat thousands of wounded and sick people, delivering medicines and providing ambulances,” said Dr Mahmoud, chairman, IMA.

“Qatar Charity is currently working at the Medical Association Centre in Arsal, transporting the wounded from the border to hospitals and also training Syrian paramedics,” Dr Mahmoud added.

Dr Nahed, head of emergency relief, hailed QC for the efforts they have undertaken for the benefit of thousands of sick and injured Syrians.

Certificates of attendance were given out to the graduates, as well as mementos for the QC delegation in
recognition of their efforts.

The paramedic training for Syrian volunteers was launched by QC in response to the high-level of unanswered distress calls which highlighted a severe shortage of ambulance staff, particularly in the besieged areas, which had led to the death of many of the wounded. QC has carried out health projects for the Syrian people valued at QR13mn since the beginning of the conflict, treating the sick and wounded and planting
artificial limbs.

QC’s most recent health project for Syrians took the form of a medical relief support programme which aims to provide health services for around 7,000 residents of the provinces of Lattakia
and Idlib.