Beirut explosions: Medical response overwhelmed as injuries surge - Video
In the wake of recent device explosions in Beirut, Lebanon, doctors are struggling with an overwhelming influx of patients suffering from severe injuries.
The explosions, which have been linked to devices owned by Hezbollah, left a devastating impact on the civilian population, resulting in numerous cases of permanent disabilities.
Dr. Salah Zeineddine from the American University of Beirut Medical Center described the situation as unprecedented, with surgical rooms running nonstop since the attacks. He emphasised that the injuries are predominantly to the eyes and hands, with many patients facing long-term or permanent disabilities.
"These two days have been pretty stressful on us. The flood of patients that arrived, was like a tsunami. I mean, they arrived around 150, close to 200 patients, within about two hours. All injuries were pretty similar. Eyes, face, hands, fingers, and lower abdomen," he said. "Most of the patients, unfortunately, ended up with permanent and long-term disabilities. And the Lebanese system, as a whole health system, has to measure up to the needs, and the needs are huge. I'm not sure if we will be able to do what we have to do. Time will tell, especially since we're not sure this is the last hit we're gonna get."
Echoing the sentiments of Dr. Salah Zeineddine, the Chairperson of AUBMC Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr Eveline Hitti, shared with AFP that the intent behind the explosion was to disable and not in any way kill.
"This type of attack was perfectly designed not to kill but to disable and maim. So what patients reported to us is that the pager went off. They got an error message. So they picked it up with one hand the error message then apparently asked and requested that they press on something. So now two hands are on the device. So you have two hands held up close to the eyes because they were reading the message, and then it exploded once they pressed that respond to the signal," she explained.
At least nine people lost their lives and nearly 3,000 were injured when pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded simultaneously across Lebanon on Tuesday, September 17.
Iran-backed Hezbollah has pledged to retaliate against Israel, which has denied any involvement in the detonations. The two sides have been engaged in cross-border hostilities since the Gaza conflict flared up last October.
