Published On 5/11/2025
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Last update: 08:22 (Mecca time)
A World Health Organization official said yesterday, Tuesday, that 7.4 million people in Syria have witnessed a reduction in access to medicines and treatment, explaining that 417 health facilities have been affected by funding cuts since the middle of this year.
Christina Bethke, the acting representative of the World Health Organization in Syria, reported that 366 health facilities had either suspended or reduced their services.
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The same official warned that as Syria moves from a state of emergency to recovery, “a transitional gap has emerged, as funding for humanitarian aid declines before national regimes can take control.”
Yethke said at the press conference of the United Nations agencies in Geneva, speaking from Damascus via video, that in just two months, “this resulted in 210,000 referrals and 122,000 trauma consultations not taking place, and 13,700 births took place without qualified medical assistance, while people were unable to access 89,000 mental health consultations.”
Syria’s recovery
She went on to explain that only 58% of hospitals and 23% of primary health care centers are operating at full capacity, and stressed that the chronic shortage of medicines, electricity, and equipment keeps services “fragile.”
The World Health Organization official also warned that despite the high government responsibility and the two-year priority national health strategic plan, the needs are increasing.
She explained that drought, unsafe water and poor sanitation are exacerbating outbreaks of cholera, leishmaniasis, lice and scabies, while electricity shortages threaten cold chains, water pumping and hospital operations.
Nearly 3 million people are heading to areas suffering from a shortage of medicines, personnel, and infrastructure, which increases pressure on already weak services, according to the UN official.
“The funding picture is bleak,” Bethke said, adding that the WHO’s 2025 appeal stands at $141.5 million, with a gap of $77 million as of last October.
She stressed that without expected, multi-year support, “the health system may collapse at a time when recovery is within reach,” and considered that maintaining the continuity of health services today represents “a bridge to Syria’s recovery tomorrow.”