Sélectionnez votre langue
How science is protecting health across Syria
20 April 2026, Syrian Arab Republic: In a small vaccination room in Deir-ez-Zor, a child hesitates as a nurse prepares a dose. The space is crowded, the day is long, and some families are unsure. But with patience and reassurance, the team continues – explaining, listening, and building trust, one conversation at a time.
Across Syria, moments like this are where science meets everyday life. Not in headlines or laboratories alone, but in clinics, camps and communities—where health workers rely on science, data and collaboration to guide decisions that protect people’s health, often in challenging and resource-constrained settings.
As efforts to sustain and strengthen Syria’s health system continue, these approaches remain critical to protecting health and expanding access to care.
From evidence to trust
In Aleppo and Idlib, Dr Aya Hallak, WHO’s risk communication and community engagement focal point, works at the intersection of science and trust, ensuring that health information is not only accurate, but understood. “Health information needs to be clear, simple and practical,” she says. “Our role is to translate evidence into messages that people can actually use in their daily lives.”
Dr Aya Hallak, WHO risk communication and community engagement focal point, leads a session in Aleppo to support community understanding of health risks and services. Photo credit: WHO
Her work is grounded in data – from tracking rumours to analysing community feedback and patterns in service use. These insights help shape messaging, address concerns and adapt responses in real time. “Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions,” she explains. “But their success depends directly on how much people trust them. Through transparent communication and listening to concerns, we help people make informed decisions.”
That connection between information, trust and action is visible across communities.
Abdallah Lasheen, a health educator with Al Ihsan NGO, stands outside a health tent in northern Aleppo, where he works with families to raise awareness on hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention. Photo credit: WHO
In northern Aleppo, health educator Abdallah Lasheen moves between families in a camp, speaking about hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention. His work is guided by evidence and data from WHO but shaped by what people are experiencing on the ground.
“We work to correct misconceptions and encourage healthy behaviours,” he says. “When people understand the risks, such as diseases linked to unsafe water – they are better able to protect themselves and their children.”
Through conversations with caregivers, especially mothers, he helps address concerns around vaccination, reinforcing trust in health services.
Detecting risks early
While community engagement builds understanding, surveillance systems work quietly in the background to detect risks before they escalate. At the Ministry of Health, Dr Yasser Farouh, the Director of the Communicable Diseases Directorate, describes surveillance and early warning systems as the first line of defence.
Dr Yasser Farouh, Director of the Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Department at the Ministry of Health, supports national surveillance and early warning systems that help detect and respond to disease outbreaks across Syria. Photo credit: WHO
“Through weekly reporting and immediate alerts, we can quickly detect any unusual increase in cases,” he says. “During the cholera response, this allowed us to identify hotspots within days and respond rapidly – helping to limit the spread of the disease and save lives.”
Advances in epidemic intelligence are strengthening this work further. By combining official reporting with digital and open-source data, signals can now be detected earlier.
“We no longer rely only on traditional reporting,” he explains. “Sometimes we detect alerts even before laboratory confirmation, which gives us valuable time to verify and respond.”
But surveillance is not only about systems, it depends on people. Health workers, communities and partners all contribute to the flow of information that enables timely, evidence-based decisions.
Behind the scenes in laboratories
In Deir-ez-Zor, this early detection is confirmed through laboratory testing. Dr Ziad Mahmoud Shouaibi, a laboratory diagnostics specialist, oversees a public health laboratory supported by WHO. Here, samples are analyzed to track diseases such as influenza and cholera, and to monitor environmental risks, including water quality.
Dr Ziad Mahmoud Shouaibi, a laboratory diagnostics specialist in Deir-ez-Zor, conducts testing to detect infectious diseases and monitor public health risks. Photo credit: WHO
“Laboratories are the first line of defence for public health,” he says. “Through testing and surveillance, we can detect outbreaks early and support the right response.”
In a context shaped by displacement and strained health systems, laboratory work becomes even more critical. The team monitors data, follows national and global guidance, and remains alert to potential outbreaks that do not respect borders.
“Epidemic diseases do not stop at boundaries,” he adds. “Our role is to detect them early, report them quickly and support action to break transmission.”
Science in everyday care
In health centres across the country, science is also guiding daily clinical decisions.
In Hama, primary health care doctors are applying science in everyday decisions. Dr Moustafa Hasoun describes how evidence-based medicine shapes care for children – from routine follow-ups to early detection of conditions such as malnutrition or developmental concerns.
Dr Moustafa Hasoun, a primary health care doctor in Hama, reviews patient information as part of routine consultations. Photo credit: WHO
“Evidence helps us make the right medical decisions, not just rely on personal experience,” he says. “It allows us to diagnose early, treat effectively and avoid practices that are not useful.”
His colleague, Dr Saad Shoumal, a general practitioner, highlights the importance of prevention and early detection.
Dr Saad Shoumal, a general practitioner in Hama, consults with a patient at a primary health care centre. Photo credit: WHO
“Primary health care plays a key role in identifying diseases early and supporting prevention,” he says. “Using evidence and updated medical knowledge helps us make better decisions for patients every day.”
Protecting children through vaccination
Back in Deir-ez-Zor, vaccination teams continue their work, often under challenging conditions. Ghofran Khozam, a vaccination focal point, describes both the progress and the challenges – from limited space in clinics to hesitancy among families and fear among children.
Ghofran Khozam, a vaccination focal point in Deir-ez-Zor, reviews records as part of efforts to ensure children receive life-saving vaccines. Photo credit: WHO
“We speak with families directly, explain why vaccines are important, and reassure them that they are safe and effective,” she says.
When children who may have missed routine immunization are finally reached, the impact is immediate. “When we succeed in vaccinating a child, especially those who were missed before, we feel a real sense of relief and happiness,” she says. “Because we know we are protecting them from serious disease.”
Vaccination, she adds, is not only about individual protection, it helps safeguard entire communities.
Dr Ruba Shaalan Atasi administers a vaccine to a child in Homs as part of ongoing immunization efforts. Photo credit: WHO
At the programme level, this work is supported through systematic monitoring and outreach. In Homs, Dr Ruba Shaalan Atasi, Head of the Child Health and Immunization Programme, explains how data guides vaccination efforts.
“We continuously track coverage levels across different areas,” she says. “If we identify gaps, we investigate the reasons and intensify efforts through outreach, awareness and targeted campaigns – to ensure all children are reached.”
From routine immunization to follow-up of missed children, her team works to ensure that vaccines reach every community, including newly displaced populations and hard-to-reach areas.
A system that works together
Across Syria, these efforts are deeply interconnected – from laboratories and surveillance systems to health centres and community outreach. Science does not sit in one place. It moves through systems, decisions and relationships – carried forward by people who use evidence every day to protect lives.
Their work is a reminder that standing with science is not only about research or data. It is about ensuring that knowledge reaches people, builds trust, and translates into care that makes a difference.
Strengthening national capacity to manage severe acute malnutrition in Syria
09 March, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – Severe acute malnutrition remains a critical public health challenge in Syria, particularly among children under five. Timely identification and proper treatment are essential to reduce mortality and prevent long-term complications.
A trainer delivers a session during the TOT on WHO's new guidelines on managing severe acute malnutrition with complications. Photo credit: WHO
More than 50 health workers from across Syria recently participated in a training-of-trainers workshop on managing severe acute malnutrition with complications. The workshop, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and funded by the European Union (EU) through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), aims to prepare national trainers who can cascade life-saving knowledge and skills to hospital staff nationwide.
د. هالة داود، مديرة برنامج التّغذية في وزارة الصّحّة، خلال إحدى الجلسات.
Dr. Hala Dawoud, Director of the Nutrition Program at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that strengthening hospital capacity directly benefits children’s health: “Updating and reinforcing the national guidelines improves the care children receive and enhances the national nutrition program, particularly for those with severe acute malnutrition and complications.”
Participants engage with the trainer at one of the sessions. Photo credit: WHO
The training focuses on unifying treatment practices across governorates to ensure all hospitals follow standardized protocols. “By establishing a unified protocol, medical staff across Syria can provide consistent, high-quality care to children with acute malnutrition,” said Bassam Shahadeh, Nutrition Program Coordinator in Quneitra Governorate.
Dr Mahmoud Bouz, Nutrition and Child Health Program Officer at WHO Syria, during one of the sessions.
Dr. Mahmoud Bouzo, Nutrition and Child Health Program Officer at WHO Syria, described the training as a critical step forward. “This training provides life-saving care for children at high risk who suffer from severe acute malnutrition with complications such as diarrhea, dehydration, pneumonia, or meningitis,” he said. “It ensures that medical staff are equipped to manage these cases effectively, following updated WHO protocols.”
As trained health professionals return to their hospitals and communities, they apply strengthened technical knowledge and practical skills to improve the quality of care provided to vulnerable children.
WHO, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and with continued support from the European Union, remains committed to strengthening Syria’s health system and supporting national efforts to address malnutrition. Through investments in capacity-building and essential health services, this support contributes to improving health outcomes and enhancing resilience for communities across the country.
EU commits EUR 8 million to strengthen primary health care and support health system recovery in Syria
25 February 2026, Damascus, Syria – The European Union (EU) announced today EUR 8 million in new funding to strengthen Syria’s primary health care system and advance national health sector recovery, including EUR 1 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) and EUR 7 million to the Italian non-governmental organization, Un Ponte Per (UPP).
Representatives of the Ministry of Health, the European Union, WHO, Un Ponte Per (UPP) and partners pose for a group photo following the launch of the EU-funded primary health care initiative in Damascus, 25 February 2026
The EU-funded initiative aims to improve access to quality, people-centred primary health care services while reinforcing national systems and implementation capacity. By combining policy and institutional strengthening with service delivery support at community level, the project contributes to Syria’s transition from emergency response towards recovery and longer-term health system strengthening.
Through its component of the project, WHO will work with the Syrian Ministry of Health and national institutions to strengthen primary health care in practical, Ministry-led ways. The support will help put the national primary health care action plan into action, build leadership and management capacity for those running services, strengthen the role of the Centre for Strategic Studies and Health Training (CSSHT), and support stronger hospital management. Better-run hospitals are paramount to safer and more reliable care. The project will also advance the Family Health approach, strengthen the link between primary health care and mental health and psychosocial support, and improve communication and community engagement so people understand and trust the services available to them. Overall, the project will support training for around 680 people, strengthening both the health workforce and the institutions that make primary health care work.
UPP intervention aims to complement the Ministry of Health efforts in restoring the primary health care system at area level across conflict-affected and underserved regions in Syria (Safira district and Tel Damman sub-district in Aleppo Governorate), through a comprehensive, patient-centred and area-based approach that supports safe and integrated service delivery in 22 Primary Health Care centres, health workforce development and retention, and effective local health governance. It is designed to reach the vulnerable populations in the most underserved areas in Aleppo Governorate, address systemic health system gaps, and reinforce national-local coordination and health systems integration, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and in coordination with WHO and other relevant actors both at central and at regional level.
H.E. Dr Musab Al-Ali, Minister of Health, addresses participants during the launch of the EU-supported primary health care and health system recovery initiative in Damascus, 25 February 2026.
H.E. Dr. Musab Al-Ali, Minister of Health, said, “Primary health care is the foundation of a just health system, and our vision is based on providing integrated services that put people at the centre of attention. By integrating mental health and promoting community care, to ensure we achieve universal health coverage and build a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Michael Ohnmacht, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to Syria, speaks at the launch of the EU-supported primary health care and health system recovery initiative in Damascus, 25 February 2026.
Mr. Michael Ohnmacht, Chargé d’affaires of EU Delegation to Syria, said, “The two projects implemented by WHO and UPP, developed in partnership and with the Ministry’s guidance, directly support Syria's national health priorities and strategy. By working with WHO on systemic reform and UPP on local service delivery, we are ensuring that robust national governance translates into quality healthcare for the communities that need it most. However, for this progress to endure, the EU’s investment must be matched by the Ministry’s continued stewardship and financial commitment, especially to its workforce and essential supplies, building a resilient health system truly rooted in national sovereignty.”
Dr Asmus Hammerich, Acting WHO Representative to Syria, said, “Primary health care is where most people first seek help – and it is the foundation for health services people can trust. With EU support, and in close partnership with the Ministry of Health, this programme will strengthen primary health care in practical ways, support better hospital management, and help translate national plans into real improvements in care for people across Syria.”
The projects will be implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Health, reinforcing national leadership in planning, implementation, and oversight, and ensuring alignment with Syria’s national health strategy and primary health care reform agenda.
For more information please contact:
Zeinoun Joy
Communication and Press Officer, EUD to Syria
Email:
Mrinalini Santhanam
Communications Officer, WHO Syria
Email:
Cecilia Dalla Negra
Communication Manager, UPP
Email:
In Homs, essential medicines restore hope for patients and health workers
24 February 2026, Homs, Syrian Arab Republic – Every day, Homs University Hospital receives thousands of people seeking urgent care. From emergency trauma cases to patients managing chronic diseases, the hospital operates at full capacity, serving both the city and surrounding rural communities.
Dr Fahd Shreibati, Director General of Homs Hospital, explains how the new medications and emergency kits are improving health care. Photo credit: WHO
In a health system still recovering from years of strain, ensuring the availability of medicines and emergency supplies can mean the difference between delay and survival.
In Homs Governorate, recent support has enabled the delivery of more than one ton of essential medicines, medical supplies, and trauma and emergency surgical kits to Homs University Hospital. Each month, more than 58 000 patients rely on the hospital’s emergency, outpatient, laboratory, imaging and surgical services.
Dr Shreibati checking on the health situation of a young girl in Homs University Hospital. Photo credit: WHO
Dr Fahd Shreibati, Director General of Homs University Hospital, has witnessed firsthand how shortages affect care. “The situation in the past was very challenging,” he says. “At times, we faced gaps in critical medicines and supplies. With recent support, we are better able to manage urgent cases and ensure patients receive timely treatment.”
The emergency and surgical kits have strengthened the hospital’s capacity to respond to trauma and complex cases, while the shipment of medicines for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes helps patients maintain continuity of care.
Rahaf Ibrahim, a pharmacist at the hospital, explains the impact from inside the pharmacy. “We received medicines for chronic diseases, as well as trauma and emergency kits,” she says. “These supplies are essential, especially in emergencies when every minute matters. When medicines are available, we can focus on patient care rather than worrying about shortages.”
Pharmacist Rahaf, following up with a patient and provides her with the medicines she needs. Photo credit: WHO
Despite improvements, needs remain significant. “There is still a strong demand for medicines, medical supplies and diagnostic equipment,” Dr Shreibati notes. “With the growing number of patients, continued support is very important to sustain services.”
A nurse tests a patient's pulse and follows up with the needed health services at Homs University Hospital. Photo credit: WHO
The Ministry of Health continues to lead efforts to maintain essential health services across the country. The World Health Organization supports these efforts through technical assistance and the delivery of priority medical supplies. Funding from the European Union through EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid has helped ensure the continuity of life-saving services in Homs.
As hospitals work to meet rising demand, sustained investment in essential medicines and emergency preparedness remains critical to protecting patients and strengthening access to care across Syria.
