Recognition for SFiB Contributions
A couple of months ago, we were approached by our Sister Society, the Syrian British Medical Society (SBMS), about a charitable project they are supporting. Dr Hazaim Alwair, a Syrian cardiothoracic surgeon training in Bristol, has been running a fantastic and ambitious project for the past two years, where a team of top cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anaesthetists, intensivists, nurses and technicians from Bristol have been going to Homs to operate, completely free of charge, on children with complex congenital heart problems, who otherwise would not have been able to afford such treatment. Until this year, this project has been funded by the generosity of a small number of businessmen in Homs. However, unfortunately, this year the funds were not sufficient, and the SBMS agreed to help raising the remaining required money.
We, at the SFiB, felt humbled and privileged when the SBMS approached us to see if we could help. We felt that this would be a perfectly good use of some of the surplus money that we have in the Society's account, and the Council agreed to put £500 towards this, and our contribution has now been acknowledged and recognized.
On Saturday, 29th January 2011, Dr Ghanem Tayara, the SBMS Secretary, and a valued Member of SFiB, invited the Medical Team that went to Syria, along with a number of people who have worked to support this venture, including H E Dr Sami Khyiami, the Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic in London. The aim of the event was, primarily, to thank the Medical Team for their contribution, and to give them the opportunity to talk about their work and their experiences in our beloved Country.
After the guests have had a lovely meal, Ghanem started the event by welcoming the guests. He then introduced Dr Hazaim Alwair, the man who thought up the whole project from the start. Hazaim spoke eloquently about the project and how it developed, and outlined how it has gradually grown to what it is now. He explained that the Medical Team would select cases from a long list of needy and underprivileged children with congenital heart conditions, who have been identified by local doctors looking after those children, and working closely and in advance, with the visiting Medical Team. The selection is made purely on grounds of who is most likely to benefit from the skills and expertise of the visiting Medical Team. He then thanked the Medical Team, which consistes of a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist (Dr Rob Martin), two Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons (Mr Massimo Caputo and Mr Serban Stoica), a Consultant Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon (Mr Andrew Parry), a Consultant Paediatric Intensivist and Anaesthetist (Dr Ian Jenkins), as well as a number of Paediatric Intensive Care Nurses, Perfusionists (Specialist Cardiothoracic Theatre Technicians) and some junior medical staff, for their kindness, their dedication, and the generosity and selflessness that they have shown by taking part in this fantastic work, in their own time, and completely free of charge...
Then, Dr Rob Martin, and Mr Andrew Parry, had the opportunity to talk about the magnificent work carried out by the Team, and to show some amazingly touching photos of the children who have been operated upon. The visiting Medical Team were full of praise for the enthusiasm, knowledge, skills, creativeness and adaptability of the Medical and Nursing Team at Al-Birr Hospital in Homs, where all these operations took place. Not only that, but the visiting Medical Team also expressed their gratitude and appreciation for what they felt was a privilege to get to see Syria and get in contact with the generosity and hospitality of its lovely people.
After that, all members of the Medical Team who were present were personally thanked by H E Dr Sami Khiyami, who also handed them Certificates of Appreciation, in recognition of their most valued and appreciated work.
Then it was our turn!.. Dr Ayman Jundi, the SFiB President, was delighted to accept a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of SFiB, its Executive Council, and its Members, in recognition of the small contribution that we made toward this magnificent work.
The work of Dr Alwair and his Colleagues is outstanding, by any measure. It can only continue if we, the Syrian Community in the UK and back at Home, continue to support it and encourage it... If a group of top British doctors, nurses and technicians are willing to give up their own time and their holidays to take part in this magnificent work, then the least we can do is help them by providing some financial support for their valiant efforts...
If you would like to help, please contact Dr Ghanem Tayara on
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. I am sure he would be delighted to hear from you!...
Comments
One is so proud to hear of this magnificent venture pioneered by Dr Alwair who must deserve most of the praise for thinking of the scheme and implementing it. I entirely agree that we at SFiB were privileged to have been asked to contribute, even though the contribution was small. I hope that SFiB would be prepared to offer Dr Alwair an honorary membership of the SFiB?
Thank you very much indeed for taking the trouble to post a comment, and thank you very much for the kind sentiment. We share your pride and appreciation of Dr Alwair's initiative and efforts, and would be delighted to pass on your comments to Dr Awair.
Indeed, our contribution was relatively small. However, it does actually constitute about a third of the amount the SBMS was short of!.. Therefore, I am sure you agree that we can be justifiably proud of the SFiB contribution...
As Dr Alwair is of Syrian descent, he can be considered for Lifetime Membership, rather than Honorary Membership. Honorary Membership is normally granted to contributors, sponsors, and other individuals, who, in the view of the Executive Council, have made significant contributions to the Society or made significant efforts to promote and support its mission. It is granted to such individuals who are normally entitled to Associate Membership, i.e not of Syrian descent, or Syrians living outside the UK.
The process requires that two Full Members should nominate Dr Alwair, in writing, for Lifetime Membership. The Council would then consider the nomination, and formally notify the potential Lifetime Member of the decision. I am sure the Council would be more than happy to give such a proposal its due consideration. Written nominations should be sent to the Membership Officer, who will verify the details and present it to the Council.
Once again, thank you very much for your kind comments.