22 September 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – At Ibn Sina Dialysis Centre in Idlib, 65-year-old Hassan Al-Sattoof settles into his chair for yet another dialysis session. The routine has defined his weeks for 2 years, but for him, it is not routine at all.

Medical supplies supported by KSrelief are delivered to Al-Ameen Dialysis Centre to keep treatments running. Photo credit: WHO“My kidneys are failing, so this is my lifeline,” Hassan says. “Each week I come 3 times, and I sit here for hours. If dialysis stops, my life stops. We are about 200 patients in this centre, and all of us are the same – we wait, we hope, and we pray that the supplies continue. Without them, some would be forced to travel far for treatment, and others could see their health deteriorate rapidly.”

In Qah, 55-year-old Abdulrazzaq Al-Shahhad has been receiving dialysis at Al-Hadiya Hospital for 5 years. Displaced from his home in eastern Maarat, he knows exactly what it would mean if the support ended.

“Each dialysis session costs about US$ 50 if you have to buy the materials yourself,” he explains. “I need 3 sessions a week. That’s more than US$ 600 a month – impossible for me or anyone here to afford. Before, I sometimes had to borrow money to buy the filters, and I would choose between provisions and treatment. Now, the hospital provides everything I need without cost at the point of care. If this help stops, we lose everything – not just our health, but our dignity.” 

A patient receives dialysis at a centre in Afrin, with KSrelief-supported supplies ensuring continuity of care. Photo credit: WHOBy the end of June, WHO procured and distributed 30,000 dialysis treatment courses to centres across Idlib and Aleppo. This covers the needs of 1,476 patients – almost 20% more than initially projected, as demand continues to rise. The project has allowed more patients to reach treatment, ensured dialysis machines keep running and helped clinics continue their work without interruption despite economic hardships.

Ibrahim Al-Dhanab, who also lives in Idlib, comes twice a week for his treatment. The long hours connected to the machine leave him exhausted, but he insists he cannot miss a session.

“After dialysis I feel weak, sometimes I can hardly walk home,” Ibrahim says. “But missing even one session could be the end for me. What gives me strength is knowing I can keep going for my children. If the centre stopped working, families like mine would have no chance. We hold on because of this support.”

“I see that Syria is starting to change, and that gives me hope,” Ibrahim adds. “But for people like me, treatment must not stop during this time. Dialysis keeps us alive. I wish that patients in every part of the country could find the same care that I receive here – because no one should lose their life just because they cannot reach a hospital.”

This continuity of care is made possible through the generous support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief). Working with WHO, KSrelief’s contribution has been vital in ensuring that dialysis patients across Idlib and northern Aleppo receive lifesaving treatment free of charge.

Syria is at a critical juncture, moving from 14 years of conflict towards early recovery and stabilization. WHO is combining life-saving humanitarian action with longer-term recovery efforts, making health a stabilizing force that can support returns and peacebuilding. For Hassan, Abdulrazzaq, Ibrahim and more than 1,400 others, dialysis is more than a treatment – it is survival, and the hope of another tomorrow.

Dr Jaber Al-Omar examines a young patient at Ma’arrat An Nu’man public health centre which now records more than 1,200 paediatric visits each month. Photo credit: WHO18 September 2025, Idlib, Syrian Arab Republic – After years of disruption, the Ma’arrat An Nu’man Primary Health Centre has been steadily rebuilding itself as a central point of care for thousands of families returning to their city. For people who endured years of conflict and displacement, the Centre is more than a building – it is a sign of stability.

Among the health workers anchoring this recovery is Dr Jaber Al-Omar, a paediatrician who now treats more than 1200 children each month. “Many of the children I see are malnourished or suffer from recurring infections,” he explained. “But what families need most is reassurance – to know that care is available close to home.” His calm presence has earned the trust of parents, who say his work gives them both hope and confidence.

At the pharmacy, Saddam Al-Abbas manages the supply of essential medicines with meticulous care. In one recent emergency, when a child arrived struggling to breathe, Saddam drew from a reserve stock he had set aside for such moments, ensuring the boy received immediate treatment. “In these conditions, medicine is not just about healing,” he said. “It is about survival – making sure no one is left without what they need at the right time.”

Meeting overwhelming demand

Pharmacist Saddam Al-Abbas prepares essential medicines for patients, ensuring continuity of treatment even during emergencies. Photo credit: WHOSince reopening in May 2025, the centre has been overwhelmed by demand. In its first week alone, more than 1800 consultations were carried out. The emergency unit managed over 600 urgent cases, while the midwifery team supported more than 300 women.

“Sometimes I feel the number of patients will never end,” said Ahlam, a midwife at the centre. “But I remind myself that every mother we care for safely, every child we vaccinate, is part of rebuilding this community.”

Supported with trained staff and a stocked pharmacy, the health centre has exceeded projections while maintaining safe consultation loads in line with international standards. A 10-bed emergency unit functions around the clock to stabilize trauma and obstetric emergencies, while referral protocols and two dedicated ambulances ensure that critical patients reach hospitals in Idlib within two hours.

Caring for the whole person

A paediatrician at the centre provides urgent care to an infant with respiratory distress. Photo credit: WHOAlongside physical health services, the centre now offers dedicated mental health and psychosocial support. Trained counsellors provide safe spaces for people to talk about their struggles – from children showing signs of trauma to parents overwhelmed by the challenges of displacement and return.

“People used to say mental health did not matter when you are trying to survive,” said one counsellor. “But now patients come to us and say: ‘I cannot sleep, I cannot stop worrying.’ They realize their minds need care too, not just their bodies.” 

Strengthening systems for the future

The centre is also playing a role in protecting public health. By reporting weekly data through WHO’s Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS), it helps detect and respond to threats such as measles or cholera before they spread. This vigilance is vital in a region where outbreaks can quickly overwhelm fragile health systems.

Crucially, the centre has reduced reliance on mobile units by restoring a permanent, facility-based model, ensuring reliable access to care.

Partnerships driving recovery

A health worker administers an oral vaccine to a young child at Ma’arrat An Nu’man PHC, which also has a dedicated EPI section. Photo credit: WHOThe rehabilitation of the Ma’arrat An Nu’man Primary Health Centre was made possible through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, working with WHO, the Ministry of Health and the District Health Directorate. Together they restored the physical infrastructure and anchored service delivery within national systems.

Operational costs are covered by the European Union (EU), through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), enabling WHO and Al Ameen to keep the centre fully functional. The center provides essential health care services, including outpatient consultations, normal and emergency obstetric, and ambulance services. Al Ameen, a WHO health partner, manages day-to-day operations, ensuring that care reaches families consistently and safely.

A sign of recovery

Outside view of the centre, where families gather daily to access emergency, maternal, and child health services in a city where most infrastructure remains damaged. Photo credit: WHOFor families returning to Ma’arrat An Nu’man – a city where 90% of infrastructure remains damaged and no secondary care exists within 45 km – the centre’s revival has brought back a sense of stability.

“Every consultation here is a message to the community that they are not forgotten,” Dr Jaber reflected. “We are rebuilding trust, one patient at a time.”

Ali carries his 8-year-old son Abdelkarim through the crowded corridor of Menbij National Hospital after the boy received urgent care for a fracture. Photo credit: WHO

17 September 2025, Aleppo, Syrian Arab Republic – When 8-year-old Abdelkarim Naasan fell while playing in his neighbourhood in Menbij, the pain in his leg left him unable to walk. His father carried him to Menbij National Hospital, the only hospital in the district. There, doctors quickly diagnosed a fracture and treated him with a cast. “The care was immediate and reassuring,” his father recalled. “We left the hospital confident that he would heal.”

For thousands of families in Menbij, a city in the north east of Aleppo Governorate, this hospital is the only place to turn for both emergencies and routine care. From trauma surgery to laboratory tests and blood transfusions, it provides essential services in an area where health care access is scarce.

Dr Maqsoud Shankan, head of the laboratory at Menbij National Hospital examines test samples to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment for patients. Photo credit: WHOWith funding from the European Union, through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), WHO and its partner Al-Ameen are ensuring that Menbij National Hospital remains open and equipped to serve people in need. The hospital provides medical consultations, emergency obstetric and dialysis services, as well as trauma and intensive care. In addition, WHO enhanced the hospital’s trauma capacity through the provision of mass casualty training for its staff.

In recent months, more than 23000 people – including displaced families and host communities – received care through these facilities. The increase in patient visits reflects growing trust in the health system. Specialist services, including paediatrics and internal medicine, are seeing especially high demand.

Health workers emphasize how vital this support has been. Dr Maqsoud Shankan, head of the hospital’s laboratory, explained, “Every accurate test helps doctors give the right treatment. Without these services, patients would have to travel long distances or go without care.”

Laboratory technician Abdel Salam Khalaf collects blood from a donor at Menbij National Hospital. Photo credit: WHOAt the blood bank, 28-year-old technician Abdel Salam Khalaf manages donations and urgent transfusions. “In an emergency, we cannot afford delays. Having the right equipment and supplies here in Menbij makes the difference between life and death.”

To ensure the safety of patients and health workers, the hospital has also improved infection prevention and control. This includes practical measures such as providing staff with protective equipment, ensuring proper waste disposal, and setting up strict hand hygiene and sterilization routines. These steps reduce the risk of infections spreading within the hospital and give families greater confidence that they can seek care safely.

Abdelhadi Mousa receives post-operative care at Menbij National Hospital after undergoing gallbladder surgery. Photo credit: WHOFor patients like 22-year-old Abdelhadi Mousa, who underwent gallbladder surgery at Menbij National Hospital, this investment is life-changing. “I lived with pain for so long,” he said. “Now, after the operation, I can begin again.”

In a district where health facilities are few and challenges remain high, Menbij National Hospital stands as a lifeline. Continued support from the European Union ensures that these services remain available, sustaining care today while laying the foundation for stronger, safer health systems in the future.