The Syrian Minister of Health and the Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce Discuss Investment Enhancement
The Minister of Health, Dr. Musab Al-Ali, during his meeting with the Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Steve Lutz, and his accompanying delegation, discussed ways to enhance investment opportunities in the Syrian health sector and mechanisms for its advancement.
During the meeting, which took place on Thursday at the ministry building, the reality of the health sector and the challenges it faces were discussed, along with investment prospects and digital transformation programs, including "the establishment of an electronic health record for each patient, with telemedicine consultation services, and an integrated digital system for managing health facilities".
The Minister of Health emphasized the government's readiness to provide all necessary facilities for investors in the health sector, explaining that these facilities include "providing land or skilled labor and workforce," which allows for investment in "the fields of pharmaceutical manufacturing, blood derivatives, vaccines, and insulin, in addition to building hospitals and developing medical tourism in Syria".
Dr. Al-Ali also reviewed the difficulties facing the sector, indicating that the most prominent of these include "the lack of modern technologies and technology, the shortage and obsolescence of medical devices, the scarcity of some specialty medications, especially cancer and anesthesia drugs, and the existence of hospitals that are completely or partially destroyed, in addition to the impact of American sanctions on this sector".
For its part, the American delegation emphasized "the importance of investment and cooperation in the Syrian health sector," proposing a cooperation mechanism "by providing equipment and medications, developing infrastructure, and organizing visits for American companies to familiarize themselves with the Syrian market, in addition to providing humanitarian donations".
The delegation also proposed "the ministry's cooperation with technical protection companies to develop the electronic health system," and invited Minister of Health Dr. Musab Al-Ali to "visit the United States to meet with specialized health technology companies".
