19 February 2026, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – In winter, respiratory infections rise across Idlib. But for many women, seeking care is not always immediate. Symptoms are often endured quietly – until they can no longer be ignored.

Haifa Hassan Al-Sadeer consults with Dr Imran Al-Jark at the internal medicine clinic of Maaret Al-Numan health centre, where she received treatment for a respiratory infection. Photo credit: WHO

Haifa Hassan Al-Sadeer arrived at the internal medicine clinic at Maaret Al-Numan health centre in Idlib governorate after days of shortness of breath, coughing and abdominal pain. “At first, I told myself it would pass,” she said. “There is always something to manage at home – children, meals, responsibilities. You put your health after everything else.”

But when her breathing became heavier and the discomfort intensified, she made the decision to seek care. “I realized that if I don’t take care of myself, I cannot take care of my family,” she added.

At the clinic, Dr Imran Al-Jark conducted a full examination. Haifa was diagnosed with a chest infection and a common cold and received appropriate treatment and guidance for recovery.

“Women often delay coming to the clinic,” Dr Al-Jark explained. “They minimize their symptoms or prioritize their families. By the time they arrive, the condition may have progressed. Access to nearby, functioning primary health care makes it easier for them to seek help earlier.”

Fatim Mohammad Al-Sadeer speaks with Dr Imran Al-Jark at the internal medicine clinic of Maaret Al-Numan health centre, where she received treatment for bronchitis and acute influenza. Photo credit: WHO

That same week, Fatim Mohammad Al-Sadeer arrived with shortness of breath, severe coughing and a high fever. The fever had drained her energy, but she hesitated before coming. “You think – maybe tomorrow I will feel better,” she said. “But the fever did not go down. I felt weak and frightened that it might become something more serious.”

Following examination, she was diagnosed with bronchitis and acute influenza. She received medication and clear counselling on how to manage her symptoms and when to return. “What helped me most was that the doctor listened carefully,” Fatim said. “He explained what I had and what I needed to do. It made me feel respected, not rushed.”

The Maaret Al-Numan health centre is one of 70 health facilities across Syria supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) with funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). Through this initiative, the centre receives essential medicines, medical supplies and operational assistance – enabling internal medicine services to remain available and affordable for communities.

For many women in Idlib governorate, proximity matters. Transportation costs, household responsibilities and financial strain can all delay health-seeking decisions. “When services are consistent and medicines are available, women feel more confident coming forward,” Dr Al-Jark said. “Primary health care is not only about treatment – it is about accessibility and trust.”

For Haifa and Fatim, the ability to walk into a functioning clinic and receive treatment the same day meant avoiding complications and returning home reassured. “In the past, we worried whether medicines would be there,” Haifa said. “Now, I know that if I feel unwell, I can come and be treated properly. That changes how you think about your own health.”

As winter illnesses continue to circulate, strengthened primary health care services in Maaret Al-Numan are helping women seek timely care – protecting not only their own health, but the well-being of the families who depend on them.

18 February 2026, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – On a cold January morning, Dr Dima Jaabar listened carefully to the uneven breathing of two young boys brought into the Rajo health centre in the rural countryside of Afrin district, north of Aleppo, within days of each other. Both were struggling to breathe. Both needed urgent care. Both are now recovering.

Dr Dima Jaabar examines Mohammad Ghazi at the Rajo health centre, where he received treatment and follow-up care for acute chest inflammation and breathing difficulties. Photo credit: WHO

Mohammad Ghazi was carried in by his family after developing acute chest inflammation and difficulty breathing caused by smoke inside the home. “He was gasping and could not sleep at night,” his father recalled. “We were afraid it would get worse.”

At the health centre, Dr Jaabar and her team quickly assessed him, provided treatment and scheduled close follow-up. Within days, Mohammad’s breathing began to stabilize.

“During winter, many families rely on indoor heating methods that expose children to heavy smoke,” said Dr Jaabar. “By the time they arrive, they are exhausted from coughing and shortness of breath. Timely treatment makes all the difference.”

Dr Dima Jaabar examines young Rashid at the Rajo health, where he received treatment for fever and chest inflammation. Photo credit: WHO

Just days later, Rashid’s mother rushed him to the same centre. He had a high fever, persistent cough and chest inflammation. “He was burning with fever and crying from the pain,” she said. “I did not know what to do except bring him here.”

Rashid received treatment, medical consultation and practical guidance to support his recovery at home. His mother was counselled on symptom management, warning signs and how to reduce respiratory risks.

“I felt relieved when the doctor explained everything,” she said. “They did not just treat him; they helped me understand how to care for him.”

The Rajo health centre is one of 70 health facilities across Syria supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) with funding from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). Through this initiative, facilities receive essential primary health care medicines and medical supplies, operational support and staffing assistance to ensure services continue for communities affected by years of crisis.

Across Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Idlib governorates, the project strengthens integrated health services, improves access to primary and specialized care, and reduces preventable illness and complications. By securing medicines and consumables and supporting facility operations, WHO and KSrelief are helping centres like Rajo remain open and responsive to community needs.

“For us, the impact is immediate,” Dr Jaabar said. “With consistent supplies and operational support, we can treat children quickly and follow up properly. Families do not have to delay care.”

In Afrin, where many families continue to navigate economic hardship and fragile living conditions, accessible primary health care is not abstract policy – it is the difference between fear and reassurance.

For Mohammad and Rashid, it meant breathing easier again.

18 February 2026, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic - In the Ariha sector of Idlib governorate, ambulance crews operate in constant readiness. When a call comes in - whether for a road traffic accident, a fracture, a cardiac emergency or a critical transfer between hospitals - the response must be immediate.

Saleh Khalouf prepares to transport a patient inside a newly delivered ambulance in Idlib, strengthening emergency response and patient safety across the governorate. Photo credit: WHO

“There is no routine day for us,” says Musaab Abdulwahab Al-Yaqoub, 33, who has worked in the Central Referral and Ambulance System since 2018. “During our shifts, we are on alert 24 hours a day. We respond to road accidents, falls, fractures and critical cases. At any moment, the phone can ring.”

For years, emergency teams worked with ageing ambulances that had long passed their intended lifespan. The vehicles had endured heavy use, repeated strain and constant mechanical issues. “Our ambulances were very old,” Musaab explains. “They had been exposed to many problems, and maintenance was a continuous challenge.”

Some of the models dated back to the 1990s. “Today we are operating 2025 models,” says Saleh Khalouf, 35, who has served in the system for four years. “The difference is clear.”

That difference goes beyond appearance. In emergency medicine, timing is critical. “We call them the ‘golden minutes,’” Musaab says. “The faster we reach the patient, the more stable their condition can be.” Older vehicles sometimes slowed response times or created uncertainty during long-distance calls to remote villages. Crews had to contend with uneven roads, potholes and damaged infrastructure - all of which affected transport conditions.

Nurse Qais Ibrahim Zureiq monitors a patient’s vital signs inside a newly delivered ambulance, helping ensure safer and more stable emergency transport. Photo credit: WHO

“For patients with fractures or trauma, the road itself can cause pain,” explains Qais Ibrahim Zureiq, a nurse who has worked in the system for five years. “The older ambulances were not comfortable. Patients would complain during transport, especially on damaged roads.” Smoother transport reduces additional suffering during already critical moments.

Beyond equipment, staffing remains a pressing challenge. Across Syria, an estimated 50–70% of health care workers have left the country over the years of conflict, placing sustained pressure on those who remain. In many ambulances, responses are carried out by only a driver and one medical professional, rather than a full team of paramedics and a physician.

“We need more staff,” Qais explains. “Sometimes there are only two of us in the ambulance. Ideally, there should be four or five.”

Strengthening and retaining the existing health workforce - and encouraging Syrian health professionals to return - remains a priority for the Ministry of Health as part of ongoing recovery efforts.

Musaab Abdulwahab Al-Yaqoub responds to an emergency call in Idlib, transferring a patient from a newly delivered ambulance to a health facility under the Central Referral and Ambulance System. Photo credit: WHO

With support from KSrelief, WHO has delivered 10 new ambulances to strengthen emergency response services across Syria, supporting frontline teams operating under sustained pressure. The newer vehicles are more reliable, require less maintenance and provide greater stability on the road, helping reduce delays and improve patient transport conditions.

Despite the demands, the crews remain driven by a strong humanitarian commitment. “When you help stabilize a critical patient and deliver them safely to hospital, you feel that you achieved something meaningful that day,” Qais says. “It gives you satisfaction.”

For Musaab, the motivation has remained constant. “We started this work to help people,” he says. “That is what keeps us continuing.”

For Saleh, the arrival of the new ambulances carries another meaning. “It means that people see us,” he says. “They understand our situation and they want to support us. That matters.”

In emergency response, every minute counts. In Idlib, those minutes are now being protected - one call at a time.