Acting Minister of Health in Latakia Announces Roadmap to Advance Health Sector

The Acting Minister of Health, Dr. Maher al-Sharaa, confirmed that the ministry has developed a roadmap to address health problems according to specific priorities, including a phased action plan in the near, medium and long term, in order to promote the health sector and improve the quality of medical services.

During his meeting with the administration of Latakia University Hospital and hospital managers in the province, Dr. Al-Sharaa stressed that the current restructuring of the health sector is carried out according to professional and ethical standards, pointing out that the poor distribution of medical and health staffs in the directorates and health centers will be addressed.

With regard to the provision of medicines and medical supplies, Dr. Al-Sharaa pointed out that raising the production capacity of the “Miamed” laboratories for the production of dialysis supplies, and” Cure Pharma” for the production of chemotherapy materials, would contribute to meeting a larger part of the local needs. The easing of some sanctions also facilitates the import of medical equipment and medicines.

Dr. Al-Sharaa highlighted the efforts exerted to strengthen the ambulance system in cooperation carried out between the Ministry of Health, the Red Crescent Organization, civil defense and the “Banafsaj” and”Sham” institutions, with the aim of providing free patient transportation services.

He stressed the importance of holding periodic meetings to follow up on the implementation of plans and projects, and activating medical conferences, including the Medical Documentation Conference, the Prosthetics Conference, and the Pharmaceutical Industries Conference, in order to enhance local production and support the export of Syrian medicine, and achieve a pharmaceutical renaissance that restores Syria’s leading position in this field.

The participants in the meeting made proposals on the need to raise professional competencies, provide medicines and maintain medical devices, distribute health centers in rural areas to ensure the provision of services to the largest possible segment of citizens.

Before the meeting, Dr. Al-Sharaa toured Latakia University Hospital, where he was briefed on the progress of work in the emergency, children, dialysis, laboratory, and intensive care departments, and listened to an explanation of the services provided and the necessary needs.

Amal Farhat