Supported by the medical aid organisation, Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, the hospital supports refugees who have been injured in the conflict in Syria.

Set up in 2013, the emergency trauma surgical programme in Ramtha has treated more than 560 patients, and performed over 1,700 major surgical procedures for those suffering most from the conflict.

The hospital not only treats patients, it also gives rehabilitation and counselling to allow patients to come to terms with the injuries that will change their lives forever.

"This project is different from some of the other ones that MSF is involved in," said MSF surgeon David Elliot.

"[It treats] a lot more severe wartime injuries, that is particular wartime injuries due to munitions, blasts, artillery, mines and explosives which can be very devastating to the patients involved.

"Rather than a simple gunshot that will heal after deals, it can often take weeks or months to heal from wounds like this and it can take 15-2-30 operations to get these people on the road to recovery."



On his visit, 38-year-old Whitehead, winner of the T42 200 metres at London 2012, explained that sport is "not all about winning medals.

"It's about the kind of impact and the legacy that you can leave on sport, and the people who are inspired by sport."

Whitehead, who also holds the world record for athletes with a double amputation, in both the full and half marathon, added: "It is really important to have goals and aspirations in life no matter your circumstances."

"Here in this conflict situation it's about being positive and guiding people through the process of getting on their feet and getting them to their loved ones.

"And it's really important that someone like myself can come and relate to their circumstances with my disability and some of the challenges I've had to overcome and I hope they take that from my visit."

Some patients such as Ali, a Syrian who lost the lower part of the leg during the conflict, have found it hard to come to terms with their injuries.

A visit from Whitehead has given them the desire to try to make the best use of their opportunities, and the belief that life with a disability can be as fulfilling as one without.

"He came from Britain to show us his prosthetics and encourage us," he said.

"He told me he got used to his prosthetics and, inshalla [god willing], I will get my prosthetics and I'll get used to it too."

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