Geneva, May 18 (SANA) Syria’s Health Minister Musab al-Ali has said that Syria’s participation in the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva reflects a clear strategy to move from responding to crises to building a sustainable, long‑term health‑care system.
Speaking from Geneva in an interview with Syria’s Al-Ikhbariyah TV channel, al‑Ali stressed that this year’s participation is no longer “ceremonial,” but grounded in concrete plans and tested Syrian medical expertise shown in many countries. Syria, he said, is presenting workable roadmaps and strong local pharmaceutical‑industry partnerships, while seeking to re‑establish itself as a key regional actor in public‑health cooperation.
Rebuilding and upgrading the system
Al‑Ali described Syria’s health‑sector reality as still challenging, but guided by a clear strategic plan. The blueprint includes rehabilitating hospitals and primary‑care centres, training and supporting health workers, expanding domestic drug production, and rolling out digital‑health tools to improve service quality and coverage.
He added that intensive efforts over more than a year had helped construct a more cohesive and resilient health system capable of delivering integrated medical services to Syrian citizens. The ministry is also working to redistribute health services and staff more evenly across governorates, with a decision to stop transferring medical personnel from underserved areas to already‑well‑staffed ones so that all regions benefit from more balanced coverage.
Eight‑point plan and workforce stability
The minister outlined an eight‑point government plan for the health sector, aimed at achieving specific, measurable goals. Part of the strategy is to build durable partnerships with international partners instead of relying on ad‑hoc aid, reinforced by agreements to train about 10,000 health workers and by salary increases in line with Finance Ministry Executive Decree No. 68 to improve motivation and performance.
On the return of displaced Syrians from camps, al‑Ali emphasized that restored health services are a key incentive for voluntary return. The plan envisages rebuilding 12 destroyed hospitals and rehabilitating more than 100 primary‑care centres to deliver quality‑assured, modern medical care across the country.
Pharmaceutical industry and patient‑centred care
Al‑Ali said the government is prioritizing the local pharmaceutical sector, highlighting the effectiveness and competitive pricing of Syrian‑made medicines on international markets. He also called for greater respect for doctors and nurses, protection against attacks or harassment, and a more humane and courteous approach toward patients as part of an ongoing, systematic effort to modernize the health‑service experience.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving public‑health outcomes for all Syrians, ensuring wider access to care, and deepening cooperation with global partners to strengthen national capacities and sustain the gains Syria has made in its health sector.
KhA
