Geneva, May 19 (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Health Musab al-Ali said Tuesday during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva that Syria is committed to “full cooperation” with the World Health Organization as an active partner in advancing more equitable, secure and sustainable global health.
Al-Ali said the assembly’s theme, “Reshaping global health: a shared responsibility,” aligns with priorities focused on helping countries build resilient and fair health systems through knowledge-sharing and respect for national priorities.
He said years of strain showed that weak health systems affect not only healthcare but also “dignity, stability and confidence in the future,” while praising Syrian health workers for sustaining services and supporting medical education and research under difficult conditions.
The minister announced a 2026–2028 strategic health plan aimed at shifting from fragmented responses to structured recovery, focusing on restoring essential services, strengthening primary healthcare, rehabilitating infrastructure, improving access to medicines and supplies, and reinforcing governance and accountability.
He said special attention is being given to vulnerable groups, including camp populations and affected communities, under a national approach to resolve camp-related issues by the end of 2027 through solutions that protect health and dignity and reduce environmental risks.
On health security, al-Ali said Syria is improving surveillance and early warning systems, strengthening laboratory readiness, and enhancing rapid response teams. During the first quarter of 2026, more than 16,000 vaccination sessions were conducted with a 93 percent implementation rate, screening about 795,000 children and vaccinating nearly 179,000, including over 16,000 receiving their first dose. He said, “Behind each of these numbers is a child who regained the right to prevention and life.”
Al-Ali added that Syria seeks practical partnerships to rehabilitate health infrastructure, support local pharmaceutical production, and develop national capacities and health information systems to strengthen institutions and reduce dependency.
He also stressed that protecting the right to health in the occupied Syrian Golan and occupied Palestinian territories remains a legal and moral responsibility, calling for protection of patients and healthcare workers and ensuring safe, non-discriminatory access to care.
In a recorded address, President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria’s participation reflects its role in strengthening sustainable regional and global health security and building partnerships based on exchange of expertise and resources to support public health.
M.Q.R
