Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke during the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated primary health centre in Ma’arrat An Nu’man, south Idlib. Photo: WHO16 June 2025, Ma’arrat An Nu’man, Syrian Arab Republic – A newly rehabilitated public health centre in Ma’arrat An Nu’man, south of Idlib, was officially inaugurated today, restoring essential health services in an area which is seeing an increasing number of returns after years of conflict.
The facility, rehabilitated with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, began operations on 25 May and provided more than 1800 consultations in its first week. Services include outpatient care, reproductive and pediatric health, emergency treatment, mental health support and immunization.
“This centre is an important step in restoring health services in areas where people are beginning to return,” said Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke. “With support from Gavi, we are working to ensure essential care is available to communities rebuilding their lives.”
Once a major urban centre, Ma’arrat An Nu’man sustained widespread damage during the conflict. As of mid-2025, 90% of the city’s infrastructure is in ruins, and medical supplies and trained staff are in short supply.
The main referral hospital, which served more than 200 000 people, remains out of service. With the nearest functioning hospitals over 45 km away in Idlib or Hama, returning families faced serious barriers to care.
The rehabilitated public health centre ensures continuity of care while secondary services are being restored. WHO is also rehabilitating health facilities in other high-need areas, particularly where returns are increasing. Restoring infrastructure, staffing and public trust are central to recovery.
Health workers administer routine childhood immunizations at the newly reopened Ma’arrat An Nu’man public health centre, rehabilitated with support from Gavi to strengthen essential Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) services. Photo: WHO“We welcome the Minister of Health’s commitment at the World Health Assembly to rebuild Syria’s health system through a phased, needs-based approach, focused on infrastructure, services and workforce investment,” added Bethke. “This centre reflects that vision. Through collaboration with Gavi and other partners, WHO is proud to support national efforts to expand access to health care and bring services closer to communities recovering after years of crisis.”
The rehabilitation was carried out by WHO in collaboration with Gavi as part of joint efforts to strengthen Syria’s primary health care system and expand immunization services. Since 2023, the partnership has rehabilitated 12 centres across the country, with 3 more under renovation and 6 additional facilities planned by the end of 2025. WHO’s Damascus office led the rehabilitation work while its cross-border team in Gaziantep, Türkiye, is supporting operational costs to ensure continuity of care.
Media contacts:
In Damascus, Syria: Halah Kabash,
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In Gaziantep, Türkiye: Mrinalini Santhanam,
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