Damascus, April 14 (SANA) – Syrian Minister of Health Musab al-Ali affirmed that medical services in Syria will remain free, stressing that there are no plans to privatize public hospitals or offer them for investment.
In an interview with the Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV channel on Tuesday, al-Ali said the government remains committed to covering any revenue shortfalls to ensure citizens continue receiving healthcare services without additional financial burdens.
He added that the ministry is working within the framework of universal health coverage, aimed at providing accessible and high-quality medical services while reducing direct healthcare expenses for citizens.
Al-Ali noted that Law No. 17 of 2008 allows public hospitals to charge symbolic fees, but the ministry has taken steps to make some hospitals fully free of charge as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare equity and reduce financial pressure on patients.
He added that the health sector faces several challenges, including limited financial resources, shortages of certain medicines and outdated medical equipment, as well as the migration of medical professionals, which the ministry is seeking to address by attracting qualified doctors and training new local staff.
The minister also stressed that the government will not allow increases in medicine prices, noting that the ministry is working to unify prices across different regions while tightening oversight of violations in the pharmaceutical sector.
Al-Ali said the ministry is implementing plans to rehabilitate more than 20 hospitals damaged during the war, alongside expanding digital transformation in the health sector by linking hospital data to improve planning and decision-making.
Kh.A
