A shipment of medicine arrives in Syria from Erbil.

The Director of Planning and International Cooperation at the Syrian Ministry of Health, Zuhair Qurrat, revealed today, Saturday, that the government of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, has sent a "large" shipment of medicines to support Syria. He also pointed out that the healthcare system is facing a significant shortage of medicines and medical equipment.

The Iraqi news website "Shafaq News" quoted Qurrat as saying: "The healthcare system in Syria is facing major challenges, with a severe shortage of essential resources, including medical supplies, human resources, and ensuring fuel and food for patients and medical staff."

Qurrat further noted that "the healthcare infrastructure is deteriorating significantly, with aging medical equipment and a shortage of necessary devices to provide medical services, exacerbating the suffering of patients, especially with the increasing number of cases of chronic and seasonal diseases."

He added: "There is an emergency plan ranging from 3 to 6 months, focusing on securing basic emergency needs, in addition to continuing to provide secondary and tertiary healthcare services, with a priority on securing fuel, electricity, and vital medical supplies."

Qurrat continued, stating that "many medical equipment and devices have exceeded their life expectancy, requiring urgent replacement to provide appropriate healthcare services," pointing out "difficulties in securing some rare medicines and treatments, especially with imposed sanctions and significant price hikes, hindering their import from foreign markets."

He explained that "some patients suffer from rare diseases such as bone marrow transplants, requiring them to be sent outside Syria for treatment, in addition to the increasing number of influenza cases in winter and kidney dialysis."

Regarding healthcare cooperation between Syria and Iraq, Qurrat mentioned "receiving shipments of medicines coming from Erbil, which were distributed to healthcare facilities."

In conclusion, he affirmed that they "are working in coordination with local and international partners, including United Nations agencies and health organizations, to provide basic needs, replace worn-out equipment, while conducting advanced studies to renovate hospitals and healthcare facilities, as well as establishing new facilities to provide a number of beds commensurate with the current population distribution and the ongoing displacement and movement."

According to the website, Iraq is preparing to resume trade with Syria in the near future, after the Syrian side completes Iraq's requirements by establishing an integrated border crossing with customs, passports, and stamps.

The website mentioned that the Syrian Ministry of Economy revealed on January 25th its plan to boost the local economy, including supporting exports, opening new markets for Syrian products, enhancing trade with friendly countries, including Iraq, and developing plans to improve logistical infrastructure to facilitate export movement.

As per the website, the Syrian Minister of Economy in the interim government, Bassel Abdel Hana, disclosed on January 6th the existence of governmental plans to enhance economic relations with Iraq, as reported by the website.