March 1st, 2016 ― Doha: Building upon the success of the first phase of its preterm neonatal health care project for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched the second phase of the project to cover more preterm infants who need intensive medical care.
Based on the feedback from the first phase, the mechanisms of work were optimized for the new phase, in order to ensure maximum financial and medical control.
Three hospitals (Bekaa, Dr. Hamed Farhat, and Tripoli) were contracted for six months renewable. The doctors emphasized the importance of the program to serve the Syrian refugees. The cases referred by the medical consultant are admitted directly, and all the cost is covered.
Within 45 days of the second phase, a total of 99 newborns benefited from medical care, including 59 males and 40 females. The cost amounted to $30,179, with full coverage of 65 cases and partial coverage of 22 cases.
Dr. Hamed Farhat Hospital received 58 cases, compared to 22 and 19 cases in Tripoli Hospital and Bekaa Hospital, respectively. Already, 87 cases have been released, while 12 cases are still under medical care. The stay of beneficiary babies totaled 640 days, with an average of 7.36 days per case.
QRCS has another preterm birth care for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, funded by Qatar Charity. Under that project, four hospitals (Bekaa, Chtaura, Dr. Hamed Farhat, and Tripoli) were contracted to offer medical care for preterm infants.
The hospitals were provided with medical supplies and medicines, and a pediatric consultant was hired to examine and diagnose the cases to see how long they need to be put in incubators.
The project was the product of a survey done by QRCS mission in Lebanon about the conditions of Syrian refugees there, to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the health services offered by health care providers. The study showed the necessity of extending medical support for the Syrians and paying for the costs of premature birth hospitalization.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) covers 75% of the costs for registered Syrian families only, excluding other informal refugees. Even the 25% cannot be afforded by the registered Syrian families due to lack of income.