Beirut, Lebanon - Recent

Lebanese medical system is ramping up efforts to treat the wounded from the deadly explosions of wireless communication device across the country, which killed at least 37 and injured nearly 3,000.

More than 2,000 surgeries were performed by the medical apparatus in Lebanon within 48 hours after the explosions.

Speaking in an interview to China Global Television Network (CGTN), eye and cornea surgeon Dr. Nabih Shams said it was challenging for the medics when the emergency room was suddenly crammed with wounded patients within a few minutes.

The devastating explosions, targeting pagers and handheld radios, resulted in numerous injuries to the eyes and bones, as well as several limb amputations, significantly complicating the management of the cases for the medical institutions.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - Recent:
1. Entrance to American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC);
2. People outside AUBMC;
3. Dr. Nabih Shams, eye and cornea surgeon, working in office;
4. Medical devices;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dr. Nabih Shams, eye and cornea surgeon:
"We were really shocked by the huge number of patients and those injured in a short period of time, and many suffered severe injuries in their eyes. Usually, a medical team deals with one case, one emergency case at a time. But this moment a large number of patients just showed up all of a sudden, which was indeed challenging for us. Moreover, most of the injuries are moderate to severe, with only very few slighted wounded.";
6. Various of patients, residents, armed personnel outside AUBMC;
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Najeeb Hamada, specialist in general surgery:
"The explosions took place when a marathon was going on, which was more than tough for any health system in the world to handle such pressure, with 4,000 people injured in just one minute. Yet, medical personnel are well-trained to respond effectively to severe injuries or when a war occurs. The Green Zone and Red Zone departments were prepared to evaluate the emergency cases - whether to send the injured to the operating room right away or treat the patients in the emergency room.";
8. Staff member of AUBMC;
9. Medical workers;
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Najeeb Hamada, specialist in general surgery:
"Surgeries in the initial stage focus on providing first aid and rescuing the injured, while many of the patients need to take restoration or cosmetic surgery, which will take a long time.";
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dr. Nabih Shams, eye and cornea surgeon:
"Honestly, we are still in primary care stage currently. When we move to the secondary care stage, we will decide on the elective procedures - whether we need to carry out eyelid reconstruction, the patients would require prostheses, or a second, third and fourth surgery is needed. But currently we are still offering primary care.";
12. Building of Ministry of Public Health;
13. Various of AUBMC exterior.

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