14 June, 2018, Damascus, Syria –  With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), Al Moadamya primary health care centre in rural Damascus, Syria, has reopened after extensive rehabilitation made possible by a generous donation from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).   

The centre serves more than 3800 people in the area, including almost 1800 people displaced from other parts of Rural Damascus. Services provided by its 19-strong team of doctors, nurses and midwives include vaccinations, maternal, newborn and child health, mental health, trauma care, nutrition, and treatment for communicable and noncommunicable diseases. 

“I am extremely grateful to WHO for supporting the rehabilitation of this centre,” said Umm Ahmad, a resident of Al Moadamya. “I suffer from severe asthma, and being able to obtain health care in my own community has made all the difference in helping me manage this life-threatening disease.” 

“WHO recognizes the vital importance of ensuring that people throughout Syria, especially the most vulnerable, have ready access to live-saving health care,” said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO Representative in Syria. “WHO’s support of this centre is part of our ongoing work to help rehabilitate facilities that are damaged, and support health facilities across the country with medicines, equipment and supplies,” Hoff added.

WHO has also donated an ambulance to Al Moadamya, which was besieged for more than 3 years until October 2016. The only available ambulance in the town provides emergency services and transports patients to nearby hospitals.

Related link

United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID)