Jayroud is a town in the mountainous southern region of Qalamoun, where fighting has been raging for months between rebel forces and the Syrian army, backed by fighters from Hezbollah.

Jayroud is currently relatively stable following a truce struck by Assad troops and local civilian officials, with fighting ceased for the time being. It is one of a series of tenuous cease-fires struck in towns in Damascus province since the beginning of the year.

But the city is not completely safe; residents say government forces have shut down the central hospital and transferred its staff and medical equipment to the neighboring government stronghold of Qutaifa. They say this has deprived Jayroud’s residents of medical care, already lacking as Syria’s infrastructure deteriorates.

Here, Syria Deeply speaks with Dr. Yunus, an orthopedist from Jayroud on staff at the hospital.

Syria Deeply: What was the medical situation like in Jayroud before the battle here ever began?

Dr. Yunus: It was acceptable to some extent. The hospital provided basic aid like stitching wounds, setting broken hands and legs, delivering babies and some surgeries. Most medicines were available in pharmacies in addition to radiographic equipment and laboratories in the hospital itself. The community clinic was limited to providing vaccines.

SD: What changed after the opposition first entered the city, and now during the truce?

Yunus: When the opposition entered the city, the situation began to slowly deteriorate. Medical supplies decreased, even at the Red Crescent center, because of dangerous roads and the restrictive nature of regime checkpoints. The hospital gradually lost government support, which led to a severe shortage of the medical supplies needed to conduct operations and medical tests. Finally the regime closed the hospital and transferred its staff and equipment to the neighboring city of Qutaifah.

SD: Why do you think the hospital’s staff and equipment have been relocated?

Yunus: Despite all attempts by the hospital staff and management to keep it running and provide services, the regime thought it was prudent to move the hospital to an area that it controls, fearing that medicine and medical supplies might fall into the hands of the opposition. It was also to force people to get the opposition out of the city, regardless of whether or not people needed this hospital and its services.

People from Jayroud and the neighboring areas have no access to a close hospital. They have to go to Qutaifah for treatment. Therefore, those who are wanted by the government will not go to the hospital because they want to avoid regime checkpoints.

One cannot talk about alternative solutions since nothing can replace the hospital. There are only private clinics and the modest support provided by the Red Crescent and the community clinic.

The community clinic does not meet people’s needs and cannot be a substitute for the hospital due to its lack of sufficient staff and adequate equipment, and the building is very small.

SD: What are the most common ailments requiring treatment?

Yunus: Diabetes, blood pressure, kidney issues and heart attacks, in addition to common diseases that are in any city.

There are no epidemics, but the bombing around the city and sometimes in the city itself causes people wounds and, sometimes, death. The absence of medical support leads to the death of many of the wounded.

The siege is becoming more difficult to bear every day. The lack of pharmaceutical and medical supplies and the complete closure of the hospital have left the city with practically no medical support at all. It increases the suffering and pain of people and shatters any hope for a breakthrough.