Nurse Sabrine: "Wars never leave us in peace"
Sabrine Houssam, a nurse in Beirut, shares the profound psychological and physical scars left by war on individuals and families.
In the wake of ongoing conflict, Sabrine Houssam, a nurse working in a southern Beirut emergency room, reflects on the traumatic impact of war on her community and herself. She describes the invisible wounds that affect people's mental health, telling of her dreams filled with fear and sadness following the onset of violent attacks. These psychological scars leave many in a state of constant depression, struggling to cope with the harrowing memories that never fade away.
Sabrine outlines the stark realities she faces in her role, where she constantly cares for individuals suffering from the aftermath of violent incidents and explosions. She recounts harrowing experiences, such as treating patients who have lost limbs or received devastating injuries from improvised explosive devices. One particularly distressing episode involved a patient who tragically lost an eye due to an explosion from an explosive device disguised as a pager. These encounters highlight the brutality of war, affecting the physical and emotional wellbeing of countless victims.
The broader implications are tragically clear: the scars of war extend beyond immediate injuries, deeply embedding themselves in communities and families. As Sabrine continues her critical work, she emphasizes the need for support and understanding for those affected by the psychological ramifications of violence, underscoring that true healing goes beyond treating physical wounds. Her story is a testament to the enduring impacts of conflict and the urgent need for peace in war-torn regions.