Conflict zone: all in the line of duty

  Warnings about the humanitarian crisis in Syria by a British surgeon went unheeded until millions fled and thousands died. However, the destruction, horror and danger did not prevent his bid to save lives. Tammy Lovell reports When humanitarian disasters hit, doctors and medical staff are often first on the scene before the media and the eyes of the world cast their glare. These people may be regarded by the public as heroes, but many of them see it as no more than their duty as medics to help the sick and injured. One such doctor is London consultant surgeon David Nott, who has been volunteering in conflict zones for more than 20 years. His humanitarian missions have taken him to Afghanistan Bosnia, Gaza, Iraq, Libya and Sierra Leone — and most recently Syria. In a presentation at the Extreme Medicine Expo held in London, he describes the deteriorating situation he witnessed in Syria. Mr Nott first visited in 2012 with MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières), where he worked in three small hospitals in the northern village of Atma. He tells the audience: ‘It was dangerous and there was lots of activity. 'Our hospital was in a house that was converted and through the back door we would get patients coming in with gunshot injuries.’   Strong team The accident and emergency room and operating theatres were created in various rooms in the house and Mr Nott was impressed by the equipment and resources MSF provided. He says: ‘We al...
Source: BMA News - Category: UK Health Source Type: news