Young Lebanese war victim gets life-changing surgery at Northfield hospital - The Bromsgrove Standard

Young Lebanese war victim gets life-changing surgery at Northfield hospital

Bromsgrove Editorial 30th Dec, 2015 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

NORTHFIELD’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) teamed up with a local charity to perform life-changing surgery on a ten-year-old Lebanese child who was injured in a bomb blast.

Youssef Chriem was just a baby when he was critically injured by a bomb blast during the 2006 Lebanese War.

The blast claimed the life of his mum and left Youssef with terrible injuries including the loss of both feet.

The young survivor from Beirut has suffered from constant pain and bleeding his entire life.




Through the partnership of 52-year-old local charity UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Youssef received life-changing surgery and will soon also be getting prosthetic feet.

UKIM’s War Affected Children Project has raised vital funds over 25 years to help more than 300 children who were injured during conflicts in countries like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebannon and Syria.


Children like Youssef are then flown to the UK to undergo complex medical procedures which are unavailable in their native countries.

ROH consultants, Francis Peart and Andrew Gaffey performed an operation to modify the bones in Youssef’s leg.

Mr Peart said: “It’s an honour to help children like Youssef who have been injured in conflict.

“Specialist centres like the ROH have such excellent facilities which, in many parts of the world are simply inaccessible.

“The work of the UKIM War Affected Children Project is incredibly valuable in giving hope to vulnerable people.”

UKIM co-ordinator, Shabir Hussain said: “Youssef’s life has been transformed.

“He was very brave during his treatment and we’re glad to be able to help.

“The team at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital volunteered to help and have made a massive difference.

“The surgery lasted for one hour but will change Youssef’s life forever.”

Mr Hussain said the War Affected Children Project meant operations like Youssef’s were also of no cost to the NHS.

Visit www.ukimreliefbirmingham.org.uk for more information or to make a donation.

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