Damascus, SANA-The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Norwegian Embassies in Syria and Lebanon, organized a workshop Monday to discuss the needs of the health sector in Syria, the challenges it is facing, funding opportunities, and health information systems.
The workshop, held at the al-Sham Hotel with the attendance of representatives from international organizations operating in Syria, aims to provide a comprehensive platform for stakeholders to explore and discuss the current situation of the healthcare sector in Syria, unify the Ministry of Health’s vision and strategic priorities for strengthening the health system, and review the national health strategy to ensure its effectiveness.
It also seeks to facilitate dialogue between the Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to identify key areas of support, and determine the next steps for updating the national health services system based on priorities and regional and global best practices.
In a speech, Minister of Health Dr. Musab al-Ali highlighted the importance of the workshop, stating that it comes at a time when the health sector in Syria is witnessing significant challenges and increasing opportunities for reconstruction and development based on scientific and participatory foundations.
He added that it constitutes a platform that brings together various partners from government agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society to work together on shaping a new vision for health recovery and sustainable development.
Minister al-Ali pointed out that the experience of strengthening the Health Information System (DHIS-2) in northwestern Syria has proven to be a strategic necessity for evidence-based decision-making and contributes to the reduction and expansion of resources more efficiently and equitably.
Minister al-Ali also tackled the real health challenges in Syria, most notably the continuation of international sanctions, lack of funding, and institutional deterioration.
He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting health governance, reforming primary care, improving the work environment, motivating national competencies, and being open to every initiative that seeks to achieve national goals.
Director of the Planning and International Cooperation Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Zuhair Qarrat, explained in his speech that the workshop, which included experts from the University of Oslo in Norway, sheds light on the DHIS-2 system used in northwestern Syria and its origin at the university, to benefit from their expertise in this system and generalize it throughout Syria.
He added that it also highlights the needs and challenges facing the health sector to contribute to providing support and assistance to the Ministry of Health in the current emergency phase.
Dr. Qarrat reviewed the most prominent challenges facing the health sector in Syria.
He pointed to the Ministry’s vision of building an integrated and effective health system that provides its services efficiently and equitably.
Reem Abdulhameed / Ruaa al-Jazaeri
