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Doctors flee war in Syria

Zack Baddorf / lwOctober 19, 2013

Two million Syrians have fled the conflict devastating their country. But for those who remain, health services are becoming increasingly scarce. Inside Syria, doctors are being targeted by regime security services. Some of those who have escaped volunteer their skills in refugee camps.

https://p.dw.com/p/1A25V

Before the war started, there were 5,000 physicians working in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. Now, only 36 remain.

As well as direct attacks on hospitals, a UN report found that Syrian doctors were being "forcibly disappeared" and tortured by regime security services for treating people who might be supporting the rebels.

The conflict has forced doctors to adapt their skills, treating victims of violence, shootings and bombings, often without the facilities, equipment and medicines that are needed.

In refugee camps outside of Syria, Syrian doctors are receiving extra training from international aid agencies in an attempt to deal with the huge number of cases arriving daily.