Improving health care in Syria

Context

Syria’s health system is under severe pressure due to conflict, staff shortages and the destruction of facilities. As a result, many facilities are only partially operational and access to care is limited. This is especially true for vulnerable groups such as women and children with and without disabilities. The programme supports the health system, particularly in northern Syria, to improve health care and offer people dignified and sustainable prospects.

Objective

Jobs have been created in the Syrian health sector, the health system has been stabilised and health professionals have been trained successfully. Medical care in northern Syria has thus improved and is fit for the future.

Approach

The programme has been working on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) since 2017. It operates in the following areas:

1. Financing salaries for medical professionals
   The programme secures the employment of health workers at various facilities by paying their salaries. Each month on average, it safeguards 1,532 jobs (30 per cent of them held by women) and ensures continuous medical care for almost a million people each year. 
2. Expanding medical structures and specialist medical training
   The programme is strengthening the health sector by providing further training and promoting specialist care, for example by financing training for midwives and specialist medical training for doctors. 
3. Supporting patient transport and psychosocial services
   The programme is expanding the referral system in north-western Syria, connecting 120 facilities through patient transport and thus facilitating transportation for 5,200 patients each month. In addition, psychosocial support is integrated into the medical services offered by the facilities that receive assistance.

Last update: March 2025