Damascus Time

In this episode of the Damascus Time podcast, we host Dr. Amjad Rass, former head of SAMS (Syrian American Medical Society), in an exceptional testimony documenting one of the most important humanitarian and medical experiences during the Syrian war years. Dr. Amjad reveals the behind-the-scenes of establishing SAMS's work inside Syria, and how it transformed from volunteer initiatives into a medical network that saved hundreds of thousands of civilians in besieged areas, amid constant bombardment and targeting of hospitals and medical centers. The episode covers sensitive files, including the targeting of hospitals, chemical attacks in Ghouta and Khan Shaykhun, mechanisms for documenting crimes, challenges faced by medical staff, as well as moving stories of doctors and nurses who refused to leave their patients until the last moments. Dr. Amjad also recounts details of the pressures the organization faced, how its humanitarian projects were managed inside the most dangerous conflict zones, and what made the name 'SAMS' present in most hospitals that served Syrians during the war years. An episode documenting an important aspect of modern Syrian history, offering a firsthand account of medicine and humanity in the face of war.

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