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.
