WHO staff during a visit to Ma’arrat An Nu’man Primary Health Centre, where children and families are accessing services following the restoration of the facility. Photo credit: WHO

24 December 2025, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes a US$1 million contribution from the Government of Norway to strengthen Syria’s national health information system and support the country’s transition toward a more integrated, reliable, and secure digital health platform.

The funding will enable WHO to work with the Ministry of Health to upgrade essential digital infrastructure, expand secure data storage, and improve connectivity for health teams. It will also support the development of a national framework to guide Syria’s shift toward a unified digital reporting system used across health programmes and levels of care. These investments will help improve the quality, timeliness, and use of health data across the country.

“The ability to collect and analyse accurate data is essential for planning services, responding to outbreaks, and ensuring people receive the care they need,” said Acting WHO Representative in Syria Christina Bethke. “Norway’s support comes at a critical moment, as Syria works to upgrade its health information architecture and build stronger, more resilient national systems.”

“This contribution also supports the Ministry of Health’s efforts to strengthen digital systems and improve how health information is used,” Christina added. “By helping Syria move towards a modernized, streamlined reporting platform, it will make it easier for health workers to monitor quality, respond to emergencies and ensure no one is left behind. It is a major step toward stronger surveillance and more efficient use of resources across the health system.”

“Norway is committed to supporting Syria and its people on their path toward reconstruction, reconciliation, inclusion, and peace. Our support to the Syrian Ministry of Health and WHO Syria reflects this commitment, with a shared vision of strengthening the health system. Norway is also proud of the DHIS2 framework – developed by the University of Oslo – as a model for health information management. As we mark one year of a new chapter for Syria, we take pride in our collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Syria and the transitional government as they undertake this vital work during a time of hope and renewal,” said Hilde Haraldstad, Ambassador, Embassy of Norway to Lebanon and Syria.

Under the agreement, WHO will procure and install key digital equipment for the Ministry of Health, including high-capacity servers, secure data-storage systems, and tools that improve internet connectivity. WHO will also establish a dedicated IT hub to support health programme teams with reliable workstations and uninterrupted internet for routine reporting.

The project will further strengthen national expertise. More than 100 Ministry of Health staff will receive training on digital infrastructure management, data security, and the unified reporting system that Syria aims to adopt. A national core team will also be formed to guide the future roll-out of this system and ensure long-term sustainability and future growth.

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Abu Tarek’s youngest son sits on the floor of their shelter. Photo credit: WHO

21 December 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – In a displacement camp in Afrin, Abu Tarek sits with his youngest son as the morning vaccination round begins. Since arriving at Khazan Camp five years ago, he has made one decision without hesitation: to keep every one of his eight children up to date on their routine vaccines.

“We were new here, but the vaccination team came to us,” he says. “They had a clear schedule. Once a month, they reached the camp, vaccinated the children, and left. May God bless them — they never stopped showing up.”

The national immunization programme, led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and health partners, continues to reach families in all parts of Syria. For communities living in camps, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) outreach teams ensure consistent access and follow-up.

Abu Tarek sits with his youngest son while one of his older children rests nearby. Photo credit: WHO

The teams’ coordination is clear and predictable.

“They inform the camp administration in advance,” Abu Tarek explains. “Announcements go out on loudspeakers and WhatsApp groups. If a child misses a dose, they follow up. They don’t leave anyone behind.”

But trust, he adds, was not always easy. “At one point, we stopped vaccinating,” he recalls. “Rumours spread. People were scared. I was scared.”

What changed his mind was a visit from the health workers themselves. “They explained — kindly and clearly — that the case we heard about had nothing to do with vaccines. They reminded us we were vaccinated as children too. So we returned. And I felt reassured.”

Abu Tarek speaks with a health worker during a vaccination session at the camp. Photo credit: WHO

Like many families across Syria, Abu Tarek’s choice is now informed by what he has seen. “I’ve seen children who weren’t vaccinated — paralysis, fever, suffering. No father wants that. Vaccines protect our children.”

These individual decisions mirror broader progress across the country. Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Health — with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and health partners — carried out nationwide efforts to strengthen routine immunization. A Big Catch-Up and measles drive in October reached 1.7 million children under five and vaccinated more than 270,000 children in all areas of Syria. In November, around 428,000 children received their measles and rubella vaccines in Idlib, Aleppo, Raqqa and Tal Abyad. Earlier in the year, during World Immunization Week, WHO supported vaccination for 3.4 million children. Together, these actions help rebuild confidence in immunization and protect communities from preventable diseases.

Two of Abu Tarek’s children wait at the vaccination site inside the camp. Photo credit: WHO

At the heart of this work are health workers like Yasser, a vaccination nurse from the Ashrafieh EPI team who visits Khazan Camp each month. “Every vaccine we give protects a generation,” he says. “Parents worry sometimes, and that’s normal. So we explain everything — possible mild fever, soreness, and how to manage it. We answer every question with honesty. Vaccines are safe, effective and free.”

One of Abu Tarek’s daughters holds her younger brother close as Yasser administers a vaccine. Photo credit: WHO

When misinformation briefly halted vaccination in the camp, Yasser and his colleagues responded immediately. “It wasn’t true, but people stopped coming,” he says. “So we went tent to tent, explaining, listening. Slowly, families returned. Trust can always be rebuilt.”

Yasser reviews vaccination records during a routine immunization visit. Photo credit: WHO

“What makes me happiest,” Yasser adds, “is knowing we’re helping create a safe environment — for every child, every parent and the whole community. We’re not just giving vaccines; we’re giving reassurance.”

From Amal’s careful explanations to Abu Yassin’s steady walk to each appointment, Syria’s immunization progress is driven by the choices families make every day.

Abu Tarek shares a tender moment with his son inside their shelter. Photo credit: WHO

Before the team leaves each month, Abu Tarek shares one message with other parents in the camp: “Please support the teams when they come. They are here for your children — for their health and safety. No one wants to see a child suffer from something we could have prevented.”

15 December 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, held a national event in Damascus to strengthen Syria’s response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a One Health approach that brings together the human health, veterinary, agriculture and environmental sectors. More than 100 participants joined the discussions, reflecting growing national momentum to improve coordination, surveillance and governance to address AMR.

Antimicrobial resistance is making common infections harder to treat, posing increasing risks to people, animals and the environment alike. In Syria, gaps in surveillance, information sharing and laboratory capacity continue to limit a full understanding of resistance patterns and slow coordinated action across sectors.

Dr Yasser Farouh, Director of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, underscored the need for a comprehensive, cross-sector response. “Addressing antimicrobial resistance requires strong coordination across human, animal and environmental health,” he said. “Our goal is to strengthen laboratory capacity and raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance at the national level. Assessments give us a realistic understanding of current capabilities and clear recommendations to guide next steps.”

Dr Yasser Farouh, Director of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, during the national event on antimicrobial resistance in Damascus. Photo credit: WHO

He explained that enhancing laboratory services — alongside rapid response teams, water quality monitoring and integrated surveillance — will support earlier detection of resistant infections and better information sharing between sectors. “Resistance is rising worldwide — including here. Protecting our present and our future requires action from every sector,” he said.

Dr Ismail Khateeb, Deputy Director of Primary Health Care, emphasized the urgency of translating discussion into action. “We can no longer say that time is running out. It already has. Syria is not isolated from this global challenge, and every sector must act now.”

Dr Ismail Khateeb, Deputy Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, during the national event on antimicrobial resistance in Damascus. Photo credit: WHO

The discussions highlighted the importance of risk communication and community engagement. Raising public awareness about the responsible use of antibiotics, encouraging timely healthcare-seeking behaviour and sharing clear messages through trusted channels are essential to slow the spread of resistance.

Participants agreed on priority actions: strengthening One Health collaboration across human, animal, agricultural and environmental sectors; expanding testing and improving laboratory tools and procedures; raising awareness on safe and rational antibiotic use in both human and animal health; enhancing infection prevention and control; improving water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities; and strengthening access to evidence-based information to guide decision-making.

Discussions throughout the event highlighted the importance of strengthening interministerial coordination, improving surveillance systems across human, animal and environmental health, and establishing a national One Health and AMR coordination committee. Participants also emphasized the need to expand laboratory capacity, enhance infection prevention and control, improve water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities, and promote the responsible use of antibiotics in both human and animal health.

Risk communication and community engagement were also identified as essential. Raising public awareness, encouraging timely care-seeking, and sharing clear, evidence-based messages through trusted channels remain critical to slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Following the event, the Ministry of Health and WHO will work together to follow up on the recommendations, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and support integrated surveillance and information sharing across sectors — key steps toward safeguarding health in Syria against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Abu Yassin spends time with his grandchildren at their tent in Idlib. Photo credit: WHO

15 December 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – In a tent not far from a busy vaccination point in Idlib, nurse Amal moves among parents with the steady assurance of someone who has spent years rebuilding trust in immunization. A mother of four, she begins every conversation from a place of lived experience. “In times like these, vaccines are the protection we can rely on,” she says.

Across Syria, routine immunization has faced the compounded effects of disrupted services, displacement and rising needs. Health workers like Amal, supported through outreach and mobile teams, continue to bridge these gaps by meeting families where they are and creating space for questions, clarity and reassurance.

“Some parents were unsure at first,” she recalls. “But when we visited homes and explained the diseases we are trying to prevent, things changed. People want to protect their children — they just need information they trust.”

Her work forms part of the Ministry of Health–led Expanded Programme on Immunization, implemented with support from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and health partners.

Abu Yassin holds his grandchild inside their tent before heading to the vaccination centre. Photo credit: WHO

Among the caregivers Amal sees regularly is Abu Yassin, a grandfather known in his neighbourhood for never missing an appointment. With his sons at work during clinic hours, he brings his four grandchildren himself — checking their cards, confirming their schedules and ensuring each dose is received on time.

“All my children were vaccinated,” he says. “Now I do the same for my grandchildren. I don’t delay — this is what keeps them safe.”

Abu Yassin helps his grandchild get ready for a routine vaccine dose at an immunization centre in Idlib. Photo credit: WHO

Over time, his steady routine has influenced others. Neighbours who had hesitated began watching him, asking questions, and in many cases choosing vaccination after seeing his example. “I talk to anyone who asks,” he says simply. “Every child deserves this protection.”

For Amal, the change is visible every day. “Parents mention him. They say, ‘If he makes sure every dose is on time, so should we.’ His consistency helped rebuild confidence.”

A gentle moment between Abu Yassin and his grandchild reflects the responsibility he feels to protect their future through timely vaccination. Photo credit: WHO

The determination of families like Abu Yassin’s comes at a time when Syria is making significant progress in routine immunization. Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Health — with support from WHO, UNICEF, health partners and vaccines funded through Gavi, the Vaccine Aliance — has led a series of nationwide efforts to reach every child, no matter their location.

In October, a nationwide Big Catch-Up and measles drive brought vaccines to 1.7 million children under five and ensured over 270,000 children received their doses across all areas of the country, including in southern and northeast regions where access has historically been challenging. The momentum continued into November, when vaccination teams reached around 428,000 children with measles and rubella vaccines in Idlib, Aleppo, Raqqa and Tal Abyad — a reminder of how quickly trust grows when communities see services returning consistently. Earlier in the year, during World Immunization Week, WHO supported the vaccination of 3.4 million children, giving new strength to routine services that protect families from preventable diseases.

These collective efforts are beginning to rebuild a sense of continuity in immunization across Syria — a system where every appointment kept by a caregiver, every mobile team deployed and every clinic that opens its doors helps ensure that children are protected regardless of where they live or what challenges their families face. This is particularly critical at a time when so many Syrians are on the move – returning from abroad or from displacement within the country.

For Amal, the message she shares with every parent is grounded in both professional experience and motherhood. “In crowded settings and difficult living conditions, diseases can spread quickly,” she says. “Vaccines give children a fair chance at a healthier future. Please don’t delay — every dose matters.”

While the children’s parents are at work, Abu Yassin brings his grandchildren for every scheduled dose — a routine that has strengthened community confidence in vaccines. Photo credit: WHO

From Amal’s careful explanations to Abu Yassin’s steady walk to each appointment, Syria’s immunization progress is driven by the choices families make every day.

14 December 2025, Tartous, Syrian Arab Republic – When 72-year-old Ali Ibrahim from rural Tartous was told he urgently needed heart surgery, he feared the worst. Private care was far beyond his means, and travelling long distances was not an option. But at Tartous National Hospital, strengthened with new medical equipment, Ali received the care he needed — care he believes saved his life. 

The new anesthesia machine at Tartous National Hospital, provided through KSrelief support. Photo credit: WHO

“At first, I was afraid,” he says. “But the hospital took care of everything. The doctors checked on me constantly, gave me my medications, and never let me feel alone. Without this care, I don’t know if I would still be alive.”

For many families in Tartous and surrounding rural areas, access to essential medical services is often a race against time.

A medical team stands beside the new operating table provided through KSrelief support. Photo credit: WHO

Over the past decade, Syria’s health system has withstood immense pressure: equipment has aged, patient needs have grown, and medical teams continue to work through challenging conditions.

With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has delivered a package of essential medical equipment to Tartous National Hospital – including a modern operating table, an advanced anesthesia machine, a portable ultrasound device, and a hemodialysis machine. Together, these tools strengthen diagnostics, treatment, and surgical care for thousands of patients each year.

“We perform between 50 and 70 surgeries every day,” says Dr. Ali Hussein, Head of the Anesthesia Unit. “Our older machines have served for many years but no longer met current safety standards. This new anesthesia machine has improved stability during operations and — most importantly — enhanced patient safety. It has made a big difference.”

Dr. Ali Hussein explains how the new anesthesia machine is improving safety during operations. Photo credit: WHO

In the cardiac surgery unit, Dr. Mohammad Ali Ali, Head of the Cardiac Department, adds: “The new equipment from KSrelief has expanded our capacity and improved the quality of care. It has allowed us to replace outdated devices, strengthen emergency readiness, and provide life-saving treatment to more patients when every minute counts.”

For communities across Tartous governorate, the hospital is more than a health facility — it is a lifeline. With upgraded equipment and committed health workers, Tartous National Hospital continues to deliver safer, more reliable care each day.

WHO, together with KSrelief and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, remains committed to supporting health services across Syria, helping ensure every patient can access timely, safe, and effective care close to home.

11 December 2025, Syrian Arab Republic – In the pediatric oncology ward of Aleppo University Hospital, nurse Nour Al-Huda Al-Yazji moves quietly between beds, checking IV lines, adjusting doses and bending down to catch the shy smiles of children who have learned to trust her.

Nurses from Aleppo, Idlib, Lattakia and Damascus who participated in the national training of trainers on pediatric oncology nursing at the Basma Specialized Unit, Al-Bairouni University Hospital in Harasta, Damascus. Photo credit: WHO

For sixteen years, Nour has chosen to stay in this ward – a place of pain, progress and stubborn hope. She never saw nursing as “just a job”. For her, it is a commitment to walk alongside children and their families through some of the hardest days of their lives.

Recently, that commitment took her from Aleppo to Damascus, where she joined a new national training of trainers programme for pediatric oncology nurses – the first of its kind in Syria. 

A national training built around nurses’ reality

Between 26 October and 20 November 2025, nurses from pediatric oncology units across Aleppo, Idlib, Lattakia and Damascus came together at the Basma Specialized Unit in Al-Bairouni University Hospital in Harasta for an intensive course.
The programme – developed jointly by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Al-Bairouni University Hospital, Basma Association, and WHO, with international partners including Childhood Cancer International – aims to raise the academic and clinical skills of pediatric oncology nurses and improve the quality of care they provide to children with cancer in Syria.

Over four weeks, nurses completed 20 hours of theoretical training and 80 hours of hands-on practical work, mastering more than 80 clinical skills – from safe chemotherapy preparation and infection prevention, to managing central lines, monitoring vital signs and responding to emergencies. They also joined 40 hours of joint rounds and case discussions (clinical sessions) with the wider medical team, reflecting the reality of day-to-day work in a busy oncology unit.

The goal is clear: each nurse will return to their governorate not only more confident at the bedside, but also prepared to train colleagues, spreading up-to-date knowledge and strengthening care across the country.

“We were used to inserting lines and monitoring fluids while doctors handled calculations and decisions,” Nour explains. “During the training, we learned to understand the treatment plans themselves – what each medication does, how doses are calculated and what side effects to watch for. It changed how I see my role as a nurse.”

Pediatric oncology nurse Nour Al-Huda Al-Yazji at the training in Damascus. Photo credit: WHO

Learning to care for the whole child

The Basma Specialized Unit, opened in 2009, now includes 40 inpatient beds and 12 day-care beds, along with intensive care and palliative care services and specialized programmes for bone or eye cancer.  Every day, it receives children and families from across Syria who are navigating new diagnoses, complex treatment schedules and long stays far from home.

For Nour, one of the most important parts of the training was the focus on psychological and social support – for children and for their families. “Some children accept treatment quickly. Others are afraid and need time to build trust,” she says. “We talked a lot about communication – how to explain what is happening in ways children can understand, how to support parents when they are overwhelmed, and how to be present even when we have many patients to see.”

Sessions on communication, psychosocial support and palliative care sat alongside lectures on chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, infection prevention and tumor lysis syndrome, reflecting the reality that childhood cancer care is never just about medicines and machines.

“It was a reminder that nursing in pediatric oncology has to be both academic and deeply humane,” Nour says. “We have to look after the child’s body and their spirit at the same time – and we also have to prepare ourselves emotionally for this work.”

Back in Aleppo University Hospital’s pediatric oncology department, only five nurses currently cover the ward, which receives two to five new patients every day, in addition to around fifteen children who come regularly for their treatment sessions. Nour knows that every bit of knowledge she brings back matters.

“We still need many more trainings to serve our patients better,” she says. “Everything we learn reflects in the life of a small child waiting to get better. God willing, I will pass on what I’ve learned to my colleagues, because we are all working toward one goal – giving children the best possible chance to heal.”

At Al-Bairouni University Hospital in Damascus, 11-year-old Zahraa receives a routine check-up from a pediatric oncology nurse during her chemotherapy treatment.

Zahraa’s drawings of tomorrow

At Al-Bairouni University Hospital in Damascus, 11-year-old Zahraa receives a routine check-up from a pediatric oncology nurse during her chemotherapy treatment. At Al-Bairouni University Hospital in Damascus, 11-year-old Zahraa receives a routine check-up from a pediatric oncology nurse during her chemotherapy treatment. Photo credit: WHO

One of the children whose life intersects with this training is 11-year-old Zahraa Suleiman.

In the playroom, Zahraa is most often seen with coloured pencils in her hands and pink smudges on her fingertips. Pink is her favourite colour – the shade she chooses for flowers, dresses and the wide hearts she draws for the people she loves.
Among those people is “Ngham”, the doctor she talks about like a friend, and Dr Khaled, whom she describes as “so kind”. She also mentions Dr Dima with the easy affection of a child who has built strong bonds with the adults around her. The ward is full of needles, tests and long hours, but for Zahraa, it is also a place of stories, jokes and drawings taped to the walls.

Behind her laughter is a story that began with pain in her joints.

At first, her father thought it was something simple – the kind of complaint many children have after a long day of play. But as the pain persisted, the family went from one clinic to another in Idlib, searching for answers. Tests ruled out inflammation. A neurologist could not find an explanation. Finally, a hematologist requested a bone marrow examination.

“A few days later, the doctor called me urgently,” her father recalls. “When I arrived, he told me: ‘Zahraa has leukemia.’ It felt like the world stopped. We thought it was something minor. We were not prepared to hear the word ‘cancer’.”

With chemotherapy unavailable in Idlib or Aleppo at that time, the family travelled to Al-Bairouni Hospital in Damascus, where the diagnosis was confirmed, and Zahraa’s treatment began. After the first chemotherapy dose, her immunity dropped and she developed a fever, requiring repeated hospital stays.

Ten months later, Zahraa is still in treatment – a plan expected to last two and a half years, followed by additional maintenance therapy. To stay close to the hospital and reduce the strain of travel, the family moved from Idlib to Harasta – just outside of the city of Damascus, renting a small home and enrolling their other children in nearby schools. Zahraa herself has also joined a local school, keen to learn alongside other children whenever her health allows.

Her father speaks with quiet pride: “Despite everything, Zahraa still smiles. She loves her teachers, her friends, and the doctors. When she is drawing, you can see her forget the pain for a while.” 

Training that changes the ward – and the future

For Zahraa’s father, the way staff treat his daughter matters as much as the medicines themselves.

“The hospital team has been wonderful – from doctors to nurses,” he says. “They treat the children with respect and tenderness. We are grateful for their efforts.”

At the same time, he worries about the overcrowded children’s ward and hopes additional sections can be opened to ease the pressure on young patients and health workers. His reflections echo one of the central aims of the new training programme: to strengthen pediatric oncology services across Syria so that families like his can access high-quality care closer to home.

By equipping nurses with stronger clinical and teaching skills, the training creates a network of nurse-trainers who can support colleagues in different hospitals, standardize safe practices and advocate for the needs of children and their families.

“Childhood cancer care is a team effort,” Nour says. “Doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, parents – all of us are part of the journey. When nurses are given the tools and trust to lead, we can make a real difference.”

A shared commitment to children with cancer

The national training of trainers for pediatric oncology nurses is one step in a longer process of strengthening cancer care for children in Syria. By centring the voices and experiences of nurses like Nour, and children like Zahraa, it highlights what health system strengthening looks like in practice: listening, learning and building together.

For Nour, the path ahead is clear. Back in Aleppo, between early morning rounds and late-night shifts, she is already planning how to adapt the training materials and share them with her team.

“In every lecture and every practical session, I was thinking of the children waiting for us at home,” she says. “If we can improve our skills, update our knowledge and support each other as nurses, then every new patient who walks into our ward will feel the difference.”

27 November 2025, Rural Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – On a quiet street in Douma, a large hospital complex is almost ready for the day it will welcome patients again. For now, its corridors are still, but inside, teams from the Ministry of Health, the Rural Damascus Health Directorate and the World Health Organization (WHO) are completing final checks on a hospital that once served as a lifeline for communities across eastern Ghouta.

Before it was damaged during years of fierce hostilities, Douma National Hospital was the main referral hospital for the area, receiving patients from across eastern Ghouta and parts of Rural Damascus. With 175 beds and 10 operating rooms, it offered a wide range of surgical and medical services. Since 2012, however, the hospital has been out of service, and people in the area have had to rely on a small emergency facility with a single operating room and just two inpatient beds.

Today, the rehabilitation and equipping of Douma National Hospital is nearing completion. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the Rural Damascus Health Directorate, and with support from WHO, the hospital has been structurally repaired and redesigned to restore safe services for around 550 000 people in Douma and an estimated 3 million people in surrounding areas. This work has been made possible thanks to support from the Government of Japan. 

A hospital prepared for safer, more specialized care

The rehabilitated and newly equipped complex now consists of two main blocks and upgraded site infrastructure. Block A will function as a specialized women’s and children’s hospital, with around 30 beds. It includes two operating rooms (one general and one maternity), labour and post-operative recovery rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, an intensive care unit, a neonatal care unit and a paediatric ward. Imaging services will include mammography, X-ray and obstetric–gynecologic ultrasound.

Block B will host a general emergency department, designed to stabilize urgent cases closer to home. It will feature an emergency operating room, emergency intensive care beds, CT scanning, digital and mobile X-rays, ultrasound and a fully equipped emergency laboratory, alongside clinics and administrative rooms.

“We are now in the final stages of preparing the hospital to resume services,” says Dr Mwaz Anwar Sidoi, general and vascular surgeon and Director of Douma National Hospital. “Once it is staffed, the hospital will again be able to receive most emergency cases – from obstetrics and paediatrics to internal medicine and trauma – and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for care.” 

Built with safety, accessibility and future needs in mind

From the beginning, rehabilitation has focused on safety and quality. New layouts and systems have been designed to improve infection prevention and control, with dedicated sterilization areas, better patient flows, and safer working conditions for staff.

“Once Douma National Hospital resumes services, there will be clear procedures in place to control infection and protect both patients and health workers,” explains Dr Sidoi. “Plans include having a specialized sterilization team, training staff on personal protection and safe management of critical cases and ensuring regular vaccination and health checks for medical staff.”

Local engineers at the heart of recovery

The engineering team inside the newly rehabilitated inpatient ward, equipped and prepared for future patient services. Photo credit: WHO

For biomedical engineer Rima Ouda, who worked as an engineer on the project, rehabilitation is also about adapting the building to the needs of different groups of patients. “Douma has a large population, and people here have been waiting for a functioning hospital,” she says. “The new design follows international standards, with a strong focus on accessibility and patient comfort – especially for older people, children and people with disabilities.”

“In the final stages of the project, it was clear how closely the engineering teams from the Ministry of Health, the Rural Damascus Health Directorate and WHO were working together,” notes Dr Sidoi. “Regular joint visits, careful supervision and a shared commitment to quality helped ensure that the rehabilitation meets global benchmarks for hospital construction.” 

A shared investment in the future of health services

For the Rural Damascus Health Directorate, the restoration of services Douma National Hospital is a critical step in restoring equitable access to care after years of disruption.

“Rehabilitating and equipping Douma National Hospital is an investment in the health of our communities for years to come,” says Dr Taufik Hasaba, Director of the Rural Damascus Health Directorate. “With support from the Government of Japan, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with WHO, we now have a facility ready to host modern, safe services once staffing, equipment installation and operating budgets are in place. Our shared priority is to ensure that people in Douma and neighbouring areas can receive quality care closer to home.”

WHO technical teams have accompanied the project from design through to completion, ensuring that the hospital layout, infrastructure and equipment planning align with national priorities and international standards.

“Douma National Hospital shows what is possible when long-term partners focus on rebuilding quality, essential services, not only responding to emergencies,” says Dr Wail Ismail, WHO Public Health Officer. “With Japan’s support, this hospital has been structurally rehabilitated and equipped to host high-quality emergency, surgical, maternal, newborn and paediatric care in the future. The next step is to bring in health workers, commission equipment, and fully integrate the hospital into the wider referral network so that this investment translates into tangible services for patients.” 

A hospital ready for the day it reopens

For many health workers in Douma, the hospital is more than a building: it is part of the city’s memory. Before it was damaged, surgical patients came from as far as Qarah and al-Dumayr to receive specialized care here.

“We hope that, once services begin, Douma National Hospital will gradually regain its role as a key surgical and emergency hospital for Rural Damascus,” says Dr Sidoi. “If the necessary support continues – to expand some departments, open new units and retain trained staff – the hospital can once again become one of the leading public hospitals in the governorate.”

For now, the wards, operating rooms and intensive care units stand ready, waiting for the day they will be filled with patients, families and health workers again. The rehabilitation of Douma National Hospital is a concrete step towards Syria’s recovery – a sign of how sustained support from partners, including Japan, is helping the countryt rebuild the foundations of its health system.

Participants attending the cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) training in Daraa Governorate. Photo credit: WHO 27 November 2025, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – In Syria’s towns and villages, a quick and coordinated response can mean the difference between a contained outbreak and hundreds falling ill. When a child arrives at a clinic with symptoms of acute watery diarrhoea, trained health workers now know what to look for, how to test safely, and how to act fast to protect others.

To strengthen this readiness across the country, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) have completed a series of nationwide workshops to improve early detection and rapid response to acute watery diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.

With generous support from the Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) — a rapid and flexible pooled funding mechanism managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to address the most critical humanitarian needs — these joint efforts are helping strengthen Syria’s public health preparedness as communities adapt to challenges such as climate change, population movements, and water scarcity.

“Health workers are the backbone of any health system. By improving their ability to detect and respond quickly to disease outbreaks and keeping them informed with the latest research and tools, we are protecting families and strengthening Syria’s resilience against future health threats,” says Dr Rasmieh Al-Lahham, Technical Officer at WHO Syria.

Across all governorates, 11 three-day workshops brought together health officers responsible for tracking and responding to diseases. Participants learned how to identify suspected cholera cases, investigate outbreaks, report accurately, and coordinate response efforts. More than 300 health workers were trained in updated reporting methods, safe collection and transport of laboratory samples, and essential infection prevention and control practices. The sessions also focused on water, sanitation and hygiene measures and on working closely with rapid response teams to stop outbreaks faster.

In parallel, 11 additional workshops were organized for laboratory technicians working in health centres. These sessions strengthened their skills in using and interpreting rapid diagnostic tests for cholera and reinforced reporting systems that help confirm cases and trigger timely action.

“Every minute counts in outbreak detection and response,” adds Dr Rasmieh Al-Lahham. “With support from the Syria Humanitarian Fund, we were able to cover the operational costs for Ministry of Health rapid response teams to verify suspected cases, follow up in the field, improve data accuracy, and ensure health facilities are ready to respond. We also helped strengthen communication skills so health workers can raise awareness in their communities on how to prevent illness and protect their families.”

From the first signs of illness in a local clinic to the coordinated action of trained health workers, these efforts now mean faster detection, quicker confirmation, and stronger protection for families across Syria – helping keep communities safe and healthy.

26 November 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – For many families across northern Aleppo, weekly visits to their local hospital are a vital lifeline — whether for lifesaving dialysis sessions or for the care of newborns recovering from early illness. At Azaz National Hospital and Marea National Hospital, health workers provide steady, reliable services that help patients manage long-term conditions and protect infants during their most vulnerable days.

Abd al-Rouf Saqqar supports patient Sireen Assi during a dialysis session at Azaz National Hospital. Photo credit: WHO

At Azaz National Hospital, Sireen Assi arrives twice a week for dialysis. Living with kidney failure has meant years of regular treatment, but the routine brings stability and keeps her symptoms under control. Nurse Abd al-Rouf Saqqar, who oversees her sessions, says familiarity and consistency matter.

“Dialysis is not easy for any patient,” he explains. “Regular attendance helps us stabilise their condition and prevent complications. We try to make every session as comfortable as possible.”

Sabah Al-Ahmad receives dialysis care from nurse Abd al-Rouf Saqqar at Azaz National Hospital. Photo credit: WHO

In the same unit, Sabah Al-Ahmad receives her twice-weekly treatment under the guidance of the same team. For her, the predictability of care makes a significant difference.

“Many of our patients have been coming for years,” says Abd al-Rouf. “We know their routines, their concerns, and how their bodies respond to treatment. That trust makes the care smoother and safer.”

Ahmad Al-Taweel examines infant Mohammad Abbas inside the neonatal unit at Marea National Hospital. Photo credit: WHO

Further south, at Marea National Hospital, Mohammad Abbas was admitted to the neonatal unit with a skin condition requiring close observation and specialized care. Nurse Ahmad Al-Taweel and the incubator unit team monitored him closely, adjusted treatment as needed, and supported his family throughout his stay.

“Skin conditions in newborns need close observation,” says Ahmad. “We monitor the child hour by hour and keep the parents informed. When a baby improves, everyone in the unit feels it.”

Whether in dialysis wards or neonatal units, hospitals in Azaz and Marea provide continuous care that families depend on – week after week, month after month.

Services at both hospitals are delivered in coordination with the Ministry of Health and implemented on the ground through health partners, ensuring that families in northern Aleppo can access essential care close to home.

Since late 2024, support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has helped WHO keep 50 health facilities running across Aleppo and Idlib, enabling uninterrupted access to services such as dialysis, neonatal care and other essential health interventions.

25 November 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – Across northern Aleppo, parents often act quickly when their children show signs of illness – whether it begins with ear pain, a sudden fever, a persistent cough or stomach upset. At three different primary health centres, doctors say these early visits are what help them to protect children from conditions that can worsen quickly.

Dr. Shadwan Mohammed Hindawi examines Nour Ibrahim Al-Hassan during a consultation at the paediatric clinic in Azaz Health Centre. Photo credit: WHO

At Azaz Health Centre, paediatrician Dr. Shadwan Mohammed Hindawi welcomed Nour Ibrahim Al-Hassan, who arrived with ear pain and a high fever. After examining her, he prescribed treatment to ease the infection and guided her mother on how to manage symptoms at home.

“Ear infections start suddenly and they worry parents,” says Dr. Shadwan. “Once we examine the child and explain the treatment, you can see the relief. Early visits help us act before the infection spreads or the fever rises further.”

At Qareh Koubré Health Centre, Mohammad Bilal Al-Qasem was brought in by his father after several days of coughing and chest irritation. Dr. Mustafa Hamdan Kareem assessed his breathing and diagnosed a bronchial infection.

Dr. Mustafa Hamdan Kareem examines Mohammad Bilal Al-Qasem during a consultation at Qareh Koubré Health Centre in Aleppo. Photo credit: WHO

“We see many children with chest symptoms, especially during seasonal changes,” Dr. Mustafa explains. “Parents often wait to see if it will pass, but checking early helps us treat the inflammation before it becomes more serious. Our aim is always to help a child breathe comfortably again.”

Further east, at Tal Al-Hawa Health Centre, Ei Nour Hussein arrived with vomiting and diarrhoea – symptoms that can lead to dehydration, especially in young children. Dr. Youssef Aboush examined her, checked her hydration status, and provided medication and guidance to her father.

Ei Nour Hussein is examined by Dr. Youssef Aboush at Tal Al-Hawa Health Centre. Photo credit: WHO

Further east, at Tal Al-Hawa Health Centre, Ei Nour Hussein arrived with vomiting and diarrhoea – symptoms that can lead to dehydration, especially in young children. Dr. Youssef Aboush examined her, checked her hydration status, and provided medication and guidance to her father.

“Dehydration can develop fast in children,” says Dr. Youssef. “When a child comes in with vomiting and diarrhoea, our priority is to stabilise them and reassure the family. Simple treatment at the right time can prevent a hospital visit.”

Across Azaz, Qareh Koubré and Tal Al-Hawa, health workers share a common goal: catching illnesses early so children can recover safely at home.

Services at these health centres are delivered in coordination with the Ministry of Health and implemented on the ground through local partners, whose teams make sure that essential care remains available for families with limited options.

Since late 2024, support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has helped WHO keep 50 health facilities running across Aleppo and Idlib, ensuring that families can access the care they need close to home.