Saudi Arabia will bear the cost of treatment of 150 Syrian children injured in the ongoing fierce battle in Aleppo, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Ambassador Abdullah Al-Muallami, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, said that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman had issued a directive in this regard in response to an international humanitarian appeal made by the Syrian-American Medical Society (SAMS).

Treatment will take place in border hospitals in Turkey, according to a press statement issued by the Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to UN. Al-Muallami said that the injured children, who need more specialized treatment, will be transferred to hospitals within the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Saudi Arabia will also pay for the thoracic radiation devices for hospitals of Aleppo and neighboring regions. “In response to the appeal made by SAMS, concerning the situation of injured children in Aleppo who need specialized medical care not available to them because of the constant bombardment carried out by Syrian forces on hospitals and healthcare facilities; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take necessary measures, in cooperation with the SAMS, for the medical evacuation of 150 injured children from inside Aleppo, ensure their treatment in border hospitals in Turkey, and transfer cases requiring more specialized treatment to appropriate hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the Kingdom will provide (C-Scan) devices for hospitals in Aleppo and surrounding areas as needed,” the statement said.

The Saudi Specialized Clinics (SSC), the medical arm of the Saudi National Campaign (SNC), which is offering humanitarian support to distressed Syrians, provided medical services to about 500 Syrians living in Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan during the month of September.

An SNC official said Thursday that the SSC provided medical services to 456 refugees living in the camp as part of its medical support being given to the Syrians in distress, many of whom are living in the border crossings, taking refuge in various camps in Jordan and Lebanon.

The SSC at the Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp is providing medical, therapeutic, awareness and preventive services to Syrians and also distributes free medicines and essentials including milk for children. This has a significant positive impact on the living conditions of the displaced in the camp.

Commenting on the humanitarian assistance, Badr Bin Abdulrahman Al-Samhan, the regional director of the SNC, said that the campaign is keen on providing all relief services for Syrians, especially in the medical field.

The Kingdom has set up 13 specialized clinics, a psychiatric unit, laboratory, X-ray department and a pharmacy in the Al-Zaatari camp to provide medical assistance.

This article first appeared in the Saudi Gazette on Oct. 8, 2016.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:49 - GMT 06:49