A workshop on universal health coverage in Syria, with the participation of parliamentarians and representatives of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization

Damascus-Sana

The joint workshop held today at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus focused on the reality of universal health coverage in Syria and the importance of securing medical care services for citizens with the participation of all sectors and the support of the World Health Organization.

The workshop was attended by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Akram Al-Ajlani and a number of council members, Minister of Health Dr. Hassan Muhammad Al-Ghobash, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, and the resident representative of the World Health Organization in Syria Akjmal Maktomova.

In his speech, the Minister of Health reviewed strategies for progressing towards universal health coverage in Syria, ensuring funding for health services, securing manpower, medicines and vaccines, and providing health information.

He pointed to the obstacles facing the health sector, most notably the exit of more than 50 hospitals totally or partially from service as a result of terrorism and the destruction of about 500 health centers and the unfair economic measures imposed on Syria that impede the import and maintenance of medicine and medical equipment, in addition to the Corona pandemic that led to the emergence of new needs. Relate to isolation and quarantine centers.

For his part, Dr. Al-Mandhari said that the Corona pandemic demonstrated the urgent need for everyone's solidarity at the national, regional and international levels, pointing out that the health system in Syria was developed before the war in the region in terms of providing basic services and medical quality to citizens, and Syrians still have access to these services until now.

Chairman of the People's Assembly Services Committee, Faisal Azouz, stressed the importance of continuing fruitful coordination and cooperation between Syria and the World Health Organization, with the aim of better and more efficient access to medical aid and services to citizens, calling for any step to achieve integrated health care for citizens, appreciating the organization’s role in Syria.

For his part, Dr. Safwan al-Qirbi, a member of the People's Assembly, referred to the systematic destruction of the health sector as a result of terrorism and the great losses suffered by medical staff and the brain drain, which negatively affected the medical services provided to citizens, calling for work to raise the level of health insurance and to set priorities in spending that contribute to Advancement of this entire sector.

The Director of Health Care at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Fadi Qassis, presented the difficulties that faced the vaccination program during the war on Syria, while the Director of Communicable and Chronic Diseases at the Ministry, Dr. Hazar Faroun, reviewed the Ministry of Health’s measures to confront the Corona pandemic.

The workshop included a number of interventions by parliamentarians, managers in the Ministry of Health and members of the WHO delegation on the importance of universal health coverage reaching citizens in all regions and increasing the level of support provided by the organization, especially with regard to cancer drugs, vaccines and treatments for the Coronavirus.