Turkey and Syria Sign Agreement to Support Healthcare Sector and Rehabilitate Key Hospitals

Syrian Health Minister Dr. Mousa Alali and his Turkish counterpart Kamal Memish Oglu have signed a joint cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing healthcare services in Syria through the rehabilitation and operation of vital medical facilities.

The agreement focuses on fully operating the Cancer Hospital in Aleppo within 180 days, where the hospital with a capacity of 150 beds, including 25 intensive care beds, will be equipped.

The agreement also includes supporting the Damascus Heart Surgery Hospital, which houses 310 beds and 68 intensive care beds, by providing it with the latest medical equipment and training its staff to improve the quality of services provided.

Dr. Mousa Alali explained that this step comes within the Ministry of Health's plan to develop hospital infrastructure and enhance healthcare services, indicating that the agreement aims to "support a number of vital healthcare facilities and operate them in Syria."

This cooperation comes at a time when the Syrian healthcare sector is suffering from "severe weaknesses in capabilities," as "several hospitals and health centers were destroyed due to the attacks of the former regime, while those remaining in service suffer from shortages of medical supplies and equipment, due to the corruption that prevailed during its rule and the international sanctions imposed on Syria for its crimes."