About this talk
In 2016, Dr. Farida was the only female OB/GYN that remained in the besieged city of Aleppo, Syria. Despite extreme challenges such as medication shortages, inconsistent electricity, and a lack of trained medical staff, Dr. Farida continued caring for patients and performing procedures, even in the most dangerous conditions—such as times when her hospital was under targeted attack.
After being forced to leave her hometown of Aleppo, Dr. Farida and her family relocated to nearby Idlib province, where she works as an obstetrician today. Watch Dr. Farida’s 2017 TEDMED interview with NPR’s Leila Fadel to gain insight into her harrowing experience practicing medicine in wartime and the hope that she holds on to for the future.
About Dr. Farida Almuslem
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Dr. Farida Almuslem is a dedicated OB/GYN and humanitarian who has worked tirelessly to provide healthcare in war-torn Syria. During the siege of east Aleppo, she was the last remaining female obstetrician, working at M2, the city’s largest trauma hospital. She performed procedures under extreme conditions, even completing a cesarean section during a chemical attack on her hospital. After being forced to flee Aleppo with her family, Farida settled in the Idlib province. There, she continued her courageous work in a hospital supported by the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). Farida is not only a gifted surgeon but also an advocate for health education. She has played a crucial role in training midwives and nurses to address the severe shortage of medical personnel. Her work includes designing new education programs and advocating for international support for these essential healthcare workers. She has also continued to speak out about the ongoing humanitarian crisis, briefing the United Nations Security Council on the suffering of the Syrian people.
