19 April 2020 - Generous funding from the Government of Norway during the last 4 years has enabled WHO to reach more than 1.4 million beneficiaries in Syria and improve their access to primary health care services through 40 nongovernmental organization partners.
From 2016 to 2019, Norway provided flexible funding to WHO Syria totalling more than US$ 34 million. Of this, nearly US$ 2.7 million was directed to national NGOs operating within the health sector, allowing WHO to scale up its interventions across the country and access hard-to-reach areas.
“Norway has been among WHO’s key partners throughout the crisis in Syria. Its generous contributions enabled WHO to continue providing health facilities with needed medicines, medical supplies and equipment, as well as mobile clinics and ambulances, facilitating the provision of health care services to patients across the country,” said Dr Nima Abid, acting WHO Representative in Syria.9-year-old Ahmad from Al Hasakeh governorate suffers from polycystic kidney disease and needs 3 haemodialysis sessions every week to survive. “Last year we were displaced more than 3 times and had to travel very long distances to reach Al-Ihsan haemodialysis centre in Aleppo,” his mother said. “And if it were not for this centre treating my son, I would have lost him years ago. I have already lost my husband and will do everything in my power to keep my son safe, despite all the hardships he has been through.”
Al-Ihsan haemodialysis centre is one of many WHO-supported facilities that is able to remain functional thanks to the Government of Norway.
“We appreciate WHO’s immense support for the provision of haemodialysis sessions, among other lifesaving treatments,” said Dr Mohamad at Al-Ihsan haemodialysis centre in Aleppo. “With the regular supply of sessions, the centre is able to provide care and manage many cases,” he added. “WHO’s support to our centre has contributed greatly to fulfilling our mission as doctors and helped us save more lives. Despite all the challenges each one of us is facing, saving the lives of people like Ahmad is what matters at the end of the day.”