Deir ez-Zor Health Directorate Reviews Medical Priorities with NGOs
The Deir ez-Zor Health Directorate held a meeting on Thursday with representatives from the Shafaq organization, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and various United Nations agencies to evaluate the current state of the health sector in the province. The primary objective of the consultation was to identify the most pressing medical challenges and determine priorities for future support to ensure that essential healthcare services reach the local population effectively.
Nasr Alwan, the Director of Health in Deir ez-Zor, stated that the meeting served as a comprehensive assessment of the region’s medical infrastructure. The discussions focused on reviewing achievements made during the previous period, analyzing ongoing gaps in service delivery, and coordinating efforts to ensure that international aid is channeled toward the areas of greatest necessity. Alwan emphasized the importance of this synergy in addressing the complex logistical and service-related challenges inherent in providing healthcare across the province.
Providing perspective on the progress achieved through joint cooperation, Zaid Muhammad Zaid, a representative from the Shafaq organization, noted that the concerted efforts of the directorate and partnering organizations have yielded measurable improvements in medical infrastructure. According to Zaid, the strategic coordination between stakeholders has successfully facilitated the expansion of the regional health network. The number of active health centers has grown from 38 to 86, and the number of functioning hospitals has increased from 8 to 18.
Despite these improvements, Zaid acknowledged that significant challenges remain. He emphasized that the growing demand for healthcare services in the region necessitates continued cooperation and a focus on long-term sustainability. The participants agreed that aligning available resources with defined medical priorities is critical to maintaining the current trajectory of improvement.
The health sector in Deir ez-Zor remains a focal point for the Ministry of Health, which continues to prioritize the region due to its vast rural expanse and unique geographical challenges. Current efforts supported by the ministry and its partners include the rehabilitation of medical facilities that were damaged or rendered non-functional, the development of primary healthcare services in remote and underserved areas, and the implementation of training programs to enhance the technical skills of local medical personnel. By strengthening the coordination mechanism with international and local non-governmental organizations, the government aims to ensure a more efficient allocation of resources and a more resilient healthcare system for the residents of the province.
