Damascus, Aug. 3 (SANA) Syria’s SARH Holding Company, an affiliate of the Syrian Sovereign Fund, signed an agreement on Sunday with Canada’s InterHealth Canada to rehabilitate and modernize 14 public hospitals across the country as part of a nationwide healthcare infrastructure initiative.
The agreement, signed in Damascus by SARH Holding Director Khalil Balbi and InterHealth Canada representative Dr Emad El Dukair, covers the modernization of hospital buildings, medical equipment and operational systems in coordination with the Ministry of Health.
Health Minister Musab al-Ali said the project is part of the ministry’s strategic plan to improve healthcare services nationwide. Under the agreement, 14 major hospitals in Syria’s provinces will be renovated and equipped with modern medical technology.
Al-Ali said the initiative, known as the “Model Hospital in Every Province” project, will primarily focus on national hospitals. The project is scheduled to be completed within 24 months, with the first improvements expected to become visible several months after work begins. Upon completion, the hospitals’ medical services, facilities and equipment are expected to meet modern healthcare standards.
Balbi said the project will be implemented in six phases, covering planning, technical studies, construction, procurement, commissioning and operational support.
He said a central objective of the agreement is to transfer expertise from InterHealth Canada to Syrian engineers and healthcare professionals, who will participate throughout all stages of the project.
Balbi added that the agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed six months ago, after which InterHealth Canada deployed 16 engineers to assess hospitals across Syria and conduct preliminary technical studies. He said the signing marks the transition from planning to implementation.
Dr Emad El Dukair, representing InterHealth Canada, said the rehabilitation work will be carried out in accordance with international standards while drawing on the expertise of Syrian medical and technical professionals both inside the country and abroad.
He said many Syrian healthcare specialists working overseas have expressed interest in contributing to the country’s healthcare sector.
“We promise the Syrian people that these hospitals will meet international standards and contribute to medical tourism. A modern healthcare system in Syria will encourage many people to seek medical services in the country,” El Dukair said.
The signing ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh and Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani, who also serves as chairman of the Syrian Sovereign Fund.
The Syrian Sovereign Fund was established under Legislative Decree No. 113, issued on July 9, 2025, as an economically oriented public institution with legal personality and financial and administrative independence. It is headquartered in Damascus and affiliated with the Presidency.
InterHealth Canada is a Canadian healthcare services company with more than 25 years of experience in hospital development, healthcare management, and the implementation of quality and patient safety standards.
R.D/ABD
