Testimonial from Dr Elie Bechara, Pediatrician Oncologist Hematologist

Since the opening of the pediatric department at Quarantina Hospital 1 year ago, many cases of hematology and /or oncology were managed. The majority of cases were anemia wether in neonatal or school-aged children, mainly iron deficiency, but also due to vitamin deficiencies or even leukemias. Other hematology cases included thrombicytopenia (ITP), thalassemias, sickle cell crises, hemolytic (severe ABO incompatibility), or even metabolic or mitichondrial disease. During this period we had encountered severe cases of oncology and were able to diagnoze leukemias and nephroblastomas. 

The majority of our pediatric patients are coming from remote rural areas and from syrian refugee camps, where many medical conditions along with malnutririon and consanguinity makes the diagnosis challenging. 

In my opinion, the creation of the pediatric department at quarantina and the advantage of having multidisciplinary pediatric subspecialists and excellent staff nursing has led to a breakthrough in the management of these challeging diseases especially in these less fortunate and low socioeconomic population. These children have now access to a cutting edge medical care in a low cost setting.