Reports | 25 05 2020
Ever since the regime intensified attacks on the southern areas of the country, "Dignity House” began its activities in the city of Dara’a. The house cares for the wounded, and administers their treatment until full recovery.
Because of the intensified attacks by the Syrian regime in the southern region of Syria, and because of the increased number of injured people, the area was in great need of a recovery house that would care for the wounded until they recover fully. Dignity House in Dara’a is one of these places. Rozana spoke with Dignity House’s supervisor, Aziz Abazed, who said, “we welcome all wounded people. We also have some disabled people who are here for a long-term stay. Some people have been here for five or six months. We provide them with medication, physical therapy, and three meals a day. Patients here have access to television all day, and the house is heated during winter time. We sometimes run low on medication, since our requests do not always arrive on time.”
Some of their cases require long-term treatment. There are cases of full paralysis that need medication, physical therapy, and special care. Abu Taha came to Dignity House from Eastern Ghouta to receive care and treatment. “I received medical treatment in Jordan for two years, but I did not get any better. I recently moved to Dignity House here in Dara’a. I am a paraplegic, and I have been receiving physical therapy here. Thanks to Dignity House, I have gotten much better since my arrival. I have actually been residing here for about eight months, and a friend of mine is also receiving treatment here. We have both gotten better. He is now able to walk a little, and I can move one of my legs. They also offer computer classes. I personally feel much better because I am home and among my people, not in a foreign country.” Dignity House tries to keep its residents busy, and they offer cellphone and computer maintenance classes, so that paraplegics, like one kid named Qusai, can learn a skill and later use it to generate income. “My name is Qusai Masalama. I injured my back three years ago, and I learn computer and cellphone maintenance here, so that one day I can work and be independent.” The goal of establishing places like Dignity House in southern Syria is to take care of Syrian patients who are expelled from Jordanian hospitals before completing their treatment. Many expelled patients have only been able to find shelter at Dignity House in Dara’a.
Rozana’s correspondent in Darra, Ali al-Mahamid.