Hospital of hope

Patients with injuries from wars and conflicts in the Gaza Strip, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other Arab countries are treated at the Hospital for Reconstructive Surgery in Amman, Jordan, which the international medical group Doctors without Borders opened in 2006. Treatment is free of charge for patients.

Jordan has become a safe house for victims of war, fleeing conflict from neighboring countries. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has registered over 630,000 refugees from Syria alone. The patients usually stay in Jordan for several months.

Plastic surgeon Mukhalad Saud examines the hands of an Iraqi man who was maimed when a car exploded on the street. "Every patient here has a different story," says the doctor, who also comes from Iraq, adding that has to keep his emotions separate from his work. "In the OP room as a surgeon I need to have a hard heart and a sharp knife."

Before surgery Dr. Saud speaks with a patient from Yemen who has severe burns on his upper body. The burn scars make it hard for him to move his arms. Over 3,600 patients have been treated in the hospital over the past 10 years, according to MSF.

The surgeons are all specialized in highly complex injuries and long-term complications resulting from war injuries, such as orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery and facial reconstruction. The hospital treats so-called "cold cases": patients with injuries that can't be treated in their home countries. They end up being referred to this hospital.

It can take months until a patient is able to walk after severe injuries and amputations. The hospital provides physiotherapy and psychological follow-up. "The doctors take care of the physical injuries, and we support the patient who needs to learn how to cope with the new situation," says physiotherapist Sajdi Mouala. Therapists, specialists and doctors all work closely together.

Mouayad has undergone three surgeries so far and is learning how to walk with his prosthetic leg. "I don't think too much about my future," says the 26-year-old Syrian. "At the moment I try to focus on just being able to walk and take it step by step." He came to the hospital seven months ago.

The hospital also offers psychological help. Many patients have been traumatized by war. Therapist Talha Al Ali takes care of the youngest patients. "Every child copes differently. Some are hyperactive, others have nightmares, other are just very disturbed and ask a lot of questions," he says.