Australian Delegation: We Came to Syria to Tell the World that the Syrian People Aren’t Alone

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Health Minister Nizar Yazigi and the visiting  Australian delegation on Tuesday discussed the situation of the Syrian health sector under the systematic aggression of terrorists on the country’s health institutions and under the economic siege imposed on the Syrian people.

Head of the delegation, Father David Smith, hailed the high morale of the Syrian youths and believed that the health system in Syria is still “strong”.

Yazigi briefed the guest delegation, which comprised several Australian activists, journalists and athletes, on the huge damage caused to the health sector because of the terrorist attacks over the past five years and which led 33 hospitals and 20 pharmaceutical factories to be out of service and caused destruction to 692 health centers.

 The minister pointed out that the terrorist attacks on health institutions have caused the martyrdom of 202 people and the wounding of 143 others from the health cadre.

He stressed that the unjust economic siege has had bad impacts on the health sector and made the ministry look for new sources to ensure some qualitative medicine and vaccines as to meet the needs of patients and children in cooperation with friendly countries.

Members of the guest delegation said their mission in Australia was to support Syrian financiaally and morally through raising funds and contributing to lifting the unjust economic sanctions imposed on the country.

They pointed out that they visited some Syrian areas and felt the steadfastness and cohesion of the Syrian people, stressing that they will convey the real image of what is realy going on in Syria to the Australian people.

The delegation presented donations and medicine valued at USD 10 thousand collected by members of the Syrian community in Australia and the Australian people.

Hamda Mustafa