Ahmed al-Jaber
Syria’s health sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, severely impacted by the long years of conflict. Hospitals and medical facilities have been devastated, leaving millions of citizens with limited access to essential health services. The situation has worsened due to the mass exodus of medical and health professionals, driven by low wages and economic hardships in the country, with some doctors earning as little as $30 per month.
Efforts to Revive the Health Sector
The Syrian provisional government, formed following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, is striving to improve healthcare services amid immense challenges. With thousands of doctors and specialists having left the country, the authorities are working on plans to ensure medical care remains accessible for all citizens.
Dr. Odi Ramadan, a resident in Italy, told +963 that the health sector remains in crisis due to the absence of a clear strategy from the Ministry of Health. He proposed imposing a tax on middle-income earners to support the health sector, as well as the establishment of a social solidarity fund to guarantee free healthcare for Syrians.
Dr. Ramadan stressed the importance of attracting back the medical competencies that have emigrated over the past years, especially as many Syria are currently working in European countries. He also called for the restoration of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and suggested adopting international healthcare models, such as those used in Germany and Cuba, to revive the sector.
Read more: Syrian Casualties in Russian Missile Strike on Cargo Ship in Ukraine
Mounting Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Faras Allawi, a Syrian journalist based in France, told +963 that the health sector’s struggles include not only a shortage of medical personnel but also the widespread destruction of infrastructure, the shortages of essential medical equipment, as well as frequent power outages, which have made healthcare delivery even more challenging.
Allawi proposed rehabilitating damaged hospitals and medical centres, increasing cooperation with both local and international health organizations, and leveraging the expertise of Syrian doctors abroad. He also urged the Ministry of Health to intensify efforts to secure urgent international support for rebuilding the sector.
World Health Organization’s Efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the deteriorating health situation in Syria. WHO’s spokeswoman Margaret Harris, stated that more than 15 million people, including millions of internally displaced persons, are in urgent need of medical care. Many hospitals were no longer able to receive patients due to extensive damage and severe funding shortages.
Harris added that the organization is expanding the capacity of the few functioning hospitals to cope with the rising patient numbers. Additionally, the organization is deploying medical teams to hard-to-reach areas to provide assistance. WHO continues to emphasize the need for immediate international intervention to support Syria’s crumbling healthcare system.
Addressing Syria’s healthcare crisis requires a coordinated effort from both domestic and international actors. While the provisional government is working to rehabilitate hospitals and attract migrant medical professionals, external support remains necessary to bridge the vast gaps in medical services. Rebuilding a resilient healthcare system will be crucial in ensuring the well-being of the Syrian people in the years to come.
