Aleppo University reopens its Department of Maxillofacial Surgery after a 12-year hiatus.

The University of Aleppo has opened a Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Faculty of Dentistry after a 12-year hiatus. This department now serves as a free platform for treating critical cases, with a focus on individuals with special needs who face challenges in accessing traditional medical services. The rehabilitation of the department was carried out in collaboration between the University of Aleppo, the Atlantic Humanitarian Relief Organization, logistical support from the Nabulsi Foundation, and the Muhim Volunteer Team. The department has been equipped with state-of-the-art surgical equipment, and its local staff have been trained by experts from the United States and Europe. The Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Mahmoud Naasani, stated that the department will provide free services, including general anesthesia for patients unable to use regular chairs, aiming to become a medical reference for all areas in northern Syria. Hamam Akbeek, the head of the Atlantic Organization, explained that the project integrates both treatment and academic aspects, with medical students being trained in modern techniques being used for the first time in Syria, as part of a plan to rehabilitate other departments such as pediatric surgery and urology. Dr. Mohammed Shaker, head of the surgery department, expressed ambitions to transform this achievement into a specialized hospital for maxillofacial surgeries. Mohammed Othman, the medical program director from the Muhim team, mentioned that the rehabilitation works included a complete infrastructure update meeting international standards. The opening of this department serves as a positive indicator of the return of life and work to Syrian academic institutions, a step towards enhancing health equity in areas that have long suffered neglect.