For a whole week now, we have been following the tragedy that happened in Turkey and Syria. Amidst the harsh conditions, the destroyed homes, the many lives lost and the overwhelming sadness, hope always manages to make its way.
Such is the case with the miracle baby who was rescued and transported to the hospital in the city of Afrin, Syria – a place that neither many volunteers nor humanitarian aid could reach. Rescue doctor Dr. Hani Maruf spoke exclusively to “120 Minutes”.
Her name is Aya, which means “Gift from God”. He takes his first breath in the midst of the ruins. That’s how life meets her and she meets him.
The newborn girl was pulled from the rubble by rescue teams who heard her crying. When they found little Aya, she was still attached to her mother. She was immediately transported to the Pediatric Hospital in the city of Afrin, Syria, where Dr. Hani Maruf took care of her.
“When she came to me she was very unwell. She was cold, very blue, with a weak heart, she was very pale, with a very low temperature. There were many scars and injuries. We were also worried about broken ribs. But today she is better . She’s eating. She’s moving her limbs now. We’re monitoring her reflexes and she’s much better at the moment,” said Dr. Hani Marouf.
Dr. Marouf is among those doctors who live to help others. In Syria, torn by several parallel wars, foreign aid can hardly be expected. There is a shortage of medicine, food, electricity, but with Aya comes a small hope – that life is always stronger than death and hardship.
“Here in Syria, we have big families. They are not limited to the mother or the father, brothers and sisters. We have aunts, uncles, nephews. The person who brought her to me was actually her uncle, who is the sister’s husband to her mother. He came and asked me not to give her to anyone because now they will be her family,” added Dr. Hani Marouf.
Dr. Marouf cares for quite a few patients, some of whom have already been discharged. However, he shared that the conditions in which he and his colleagues work are difficult.
“The situation is just a disaster. A big disaster. The situation is really very serious. We have no electricity, the internet is down. It is difficult to contact our loved ones and families. We cannot operate seriously injured people in such conditions. What we can do is are mainly intravenous infusions. Still, I want to thank my fellow surgeons very much,” added Dr. Hani Marouf.
– What is your message to everyone who is not only in the hospital, but also in the field helping?
– We have experienced such disasters before, but this is a test from the Lord. My colleagues and I are doing our best. No one escaped. Everyone helps.
When asked when he last took a break, he answers:
“No, I’m in the hospital all the time. I have a brave heart. I don’t miss a minute. I’m here all the time.”
“Doctor Marouf, if one day you have a chance to meet Aya when she is older, what will you say to her?”
– I don’t think about that. Thank God she is too young not to ask “Where is my family?” I pray and hope she survives.
For people like Dr. Maroof, life is a mission. Because in the background of death and people buried under the debris, hope dies last and is born again. Hope is Aya.
