Houston doctors return home after treating patients in Syria and Turkey affected by earthquakes

HOUSTON — Two Houston doctors returned home Saturday after spending two weeks on an emergency mission to help people in Syria and Turkey hit by devastating earthquakes.

About a month ago, Dr. Sophia Banu and Dr. Dania Albaba, along with the rest of the country, woke up in the US to learn of a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake that had hit Syria and Turkey. More than 50,000 people died and more than 100,000 were injured in the disaster.

Dr. Banu is a psychiatrist and adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine, and Dr. Albaba is a resident of the school. The two were involved in treating patients and helping to educate and train rescuers in countries.

“We are all human and we all feel pain. But we should be so grateful to you that you forget about your discomfort, that you forget that you are not in your house and not in your bed, said Dr. Banu. “You do everything to help someone in need, and I think that’s what makes us stronger.”

Dr. Albaba, who is Syrian American, said it was a very emotional experience.

“They sleep in tents, sleep outside, sleep in cars, many of them don’t plan to return for several months, so it was very difficult to see them.”

The doctors said that the need for resources in these countries is still great.

They said the victims were so grateful that people like them came from America to help.

Zack Tavatari on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram