Canada should fund Syrian field hospitals, doctor says

An Ontariodoctor, who recently snuck into Syria to help set up field hospitals, says that Canada can do more to help the people on the ground.

Dr. Anas Al Kassem is a Canadian citizen who was born in Syria and recently travelled back to the country of his birth.

He went there to help set up field hospitals, to treat those wounded in the months-long uprising against the regime headed by President Bashar al-Assad.

Activists say that more than 14,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March of last year. The United Nations has estimated that the death toll is at least 9,000.

Al Kassem said it is his duty to help those who are suffering.

"Look at the brave people inside Syria, I mean theyre really exposing themselves every day to death, basically," Al Kassem said in a recent interview with CBC News.

The locations of the field hospitals are being kept secret because they are being targeted. Seven of the first 11 that have been set up have been destroyed.

Al Kassem said the field hospitals are funded by donations, but Ottawa is in a position to help support them.

"I think Canada can step in here to help us to send more funds for these medical field hospitals," he said.