Grant awarded to Circle of Health – Hospital Operations

Circle of Health International is an international humanitarian organization founded in 2004 with the mission to work with women and their communities in times of crisis and disaster to ensure access to quality reproductive, maternal and newborn care.

The internal conflict and violence of the past seven years have brought sustained devastation to the people of Syria. With more than 400,000 civilian deaths, 5.6 million displaced peoples (UNHCR), and 13.1 million people in need of emergency assistance (UNHCR), access to sustainable health services is a top priority. Due in part to donor fatigue because of the prolonged violence, medical needs in this emergency situation are at best 40% funded (WHO). Aleppo stands as Syria’s second largest city and one of the worst hit by violence and airstrikes. Providing for a community of over 300,000, the Iman Hospital is the last fully functional health facility in the city. With a focus on women’s and children’s health, Iman offers 24-hour emergency services, free care, and medication, and specialized surgical and female reproductive health procedures. Equipped with one inpatient ward, three child patient wards, and a full pediatric and OBGYN department, the hospital is capable of sustaining the 250 deliveries (65% of which are C-sections) and 120 surgical operations it averages per month. The Iman Hospital is the only center where people in the region can receive such care and is in dire need of the supplies and funding if it is to continue its current operations. In crisis situations women and girls are at a higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence. According to a report released by the UN Human Rights Council in March of 2018, women and girls in Syria have experienced consistent sexual and gender-based violence from all parties involved in the conflict – whether it is male government officers, at a reported 20 detention centers country-wide, perpetrating violence as a humiliation and fear tactic, or terrorist groups doing the same as a means of enforcing an extremist social order. The presence and perpetration of these crimes result in health risks and issues that healthcare staff must be trained in identifying and addressing, both through clinical work and education. COHI’s approach works to support healthcare staff in both areas, as well as to create educational environments that lead to critical awareness of the social determinants of health. In doing so, they are able to work towards having informed communities that recognize and address social issues.

The grant will be used for  Medical Supplies and salaries of  OB/GYNs and Pediatricians