Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA-The Ministry of Health issued on Wednesday an urgent humanitarian appeal to secure cancer medicines, calling on all active parties in the international community to assist in providing them and saving the lives of thousands of patients.
Dr. Zuheir Qarrat, Director of Planning and International Cooperation at the Ministry, stated during a press conference titled “Urgent Humanitarian Appeal: Acute Crisis in the Availability of Cancer Medicines in Syria and Its Impact on Cancer Patients,” that the shortage of cancer treatment medications is one of the most complex challenges currently facing the healthcare sector.
He stressed that the crisis has catastrophic effects on the lives of thousands of patients and their families across the country, turning it into a significant health and humanitarian issue.
Dr. Qarrat explained that, as part of the Ministry’s strategic plan, the private pharmaceutical sector remains a key partner. However, contracts with this sector have been suspended temporarily for legal review until the pharmaceutical oversight department completes its inspections and ensures the quality of the medicines to be provided to cancer patients.
He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to delivering the required medical services in the eastern region, despite shortages in primary and secondary healthcare, equipment, and medications. Moreover, a specialized cancer treatment section is being allocated at Deir Ezzor National Hospital.
He emphasized that this appeal is issued from Damascus on behalf of patients and their families to all active parties in the international community, humanitarian organizations, and friendly countries as the Ministry does not demand the impossible but rather seeks what is urgently necessary.
He assured the Ministry’s readiness to cooperate with all entities willing to extend assistance and proposed a practical roadmap based on coordination and transparency to ensure that the treatment reaches those who need it most.
Dr. Jamil al-Dibl, Head of the National Advisory Committee for Hematology and Oncology, highlighted the severe poverty affecting the Syrian people and the difficulties they face in acquiring medications due to their scarcity and high cost.
He noted that only 20% of the actual demand for some cancer medications is currently available, while supplies of others have completely run out, forewarning a looming health catastrophe affecting both children and adults. This situation puts thousands of patients at risk of losing access to proper treatment and increases mortality rates.
Dr. al-Dibl also called on the media to shed light on this critical health crisis and urged the government, as well as local and international health organizations, to take the necessary steps to secure essential and emergency supplies of cancer medications in Syria.
Dr. Karam Jaji, Head of the Chronic and Cancer Diseases Department, pointed out the significant rise in cancer cases, with Syria recording approximately 17,000 cases annually among adults and 1,500 cases among children. He added that the 19 cancer-related health centers across the provinces urgently need considerable support to secure basic medications and medical supplies.
Regarding local cancer drug production, Dr. Ibrahim al-Hassani, Director of Pharmaceutical Research and Control, stated that “Cure Pharma” is the sole facility producing these drugs, covering eight types, but its production is insufficient to meet patient needs.
He noted that two additional facilities are in the process of obtaining licenses, but have not yet started production. Additionally, companies have been granted opportunities to establish laboratories for conducting research on drug compositions and clinical studies.
Dr. al-Hassani also highlighted the significant impact of sanctions imposed on Syria on supply chains, exacerbating the issue. He added that reliance on Iranian imports had alleviated the shortage in the past, but these imports ceased before Syria’s liberation, contributing to the medication scarcity.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
