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Fundraising campaign supports rebuilding bombed health centre continued from p.5 The facility was one of only four primary health care centres still standing in the war-torn city of Aleppo. Al Kassem said the facility served internallydisplaced people, and had done 46,338 consultations since 2014 with 82 per cent of patients being women and children. Miraculously, no one was killed or injured when the bombing took place last week, the Oakville surgeon said. "On Friday, there was only a guard there and he left the facility just minutes before this happened. Friday is the start of the weekend in Syria so we don't run it (during that time)," he said. "Thank God, because otherwise we would have had a lot of casualties. Looking at the pictures you can see just how much destruction was caused by that missile." This was the second hospital facility to be hit by airstrikes in Aleppo, Syria last week. UOSSM-Canada is blaming the Syrian regime and Russian airstrikes for the destruction of the Al Marjeh Primary Health Care Centre. Al Kassem emphasized the attack was completely unjustified. He further indicated there are no rebel groups operating near Aleppo where the facility is. "This seems to be a systematic way of pushing the people out of the city," said Al Kassem. "I think they want to control the city no matter the cost. That's my assumption because I just can't understand this. They know this is a heavily-populated area." With the health care facility destroyed, Al Kassem and UOSSM are now looking at rebuilding or relocating it. The cost of re-establishing the facility is expected to cost between $30,000 and $40,000, not including supplies. Even if the facility is rebuilt, Al Kassem emphasized there is no guarantee the same thing would not happen again. "The new location has to be relatively safe. Unfortunately, there is nothing safe. We are trying to put some pressure on the international community to stop members of the international community from attacking hospitals," he said. "There is nothing 100 per cent safe. We are still negotiating and trying to achieve the best outcome." Al Kassem is chair of the Union of Syrian Relief Organizations-Canada. He initiated the electronic data registry system for trauma hospitals in Syria and continues to be involved in surgery missions to support more than 80 hospitals in the war-torn country. Anyone interested in supporting the rebuilding of the Al Marjeh Primary Care Centre can visit www.UOSSM-Canada.org. 9 | Thursday, May 5, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Making The Move To Palermo Village Retirement Residence IS AS EASY AS...1-2-3 123 And It's All For MOVE IN BY JULY 31ST 2016 AND RECEIVE OUR "1-2-3 Move in" Package "1-2-3 Move In" Package Includes: 1. Help In Selling Your Home 2. Downsizing Your Home 3. Moving Your Home Full coordination of move including; de-cluttering, organizing, floor plan, pack and unpack everything. Done by professional, insured, experienced movers. CALL TODAY FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR! 905-582-0395 *CONDITIONS APPLY 3136 Dundas Street West, Oakville, ON (Bronte Rd & Dundas St.) www.verveseniorliving.com