Voluntary Initiatives In Lattakia Support Efforts To Rehabilitate Service And Health Infrastructure

The youth and civil volunteer initiatives launched in Lattakia Governorate varied to include service aspects such as organizing

cleaning campaigns to remove garbage, clean streets, paint walls and rehabilitate parks in the governorate and its countryside.
While others focused on the health aspect, including the
restoration of the emergency department at Lattakia University Hospital, blood donation campaigns, and providing health support to needy groups.
The initiative “Rehabilitation of the Emergency
Department at Lattakia University Hospital” reflected a humanitarian message to improve the quality of services provided to patients and improve the
work environment.
More than 40 volunteers participated in the initiative,which included stages implemented over several days.
Dr. Baraa Allaf, a fifth-year student at the Faculty of
Medicine and the originator of the initiative, explained that it included cleaning and sterilizing the entire emergency department.
In addition to restoring and repairing 10 ambulance
stretchers, painting sidewalks and poles, replacing identification signs, and hanging awareness phrases, and 200
thank-you cards were distributed to the doctors on duty in appreciation of their efforts.
Allaf added: The initiative is a realistic embodiment of the
feeling of belonging to Syria, as positive change begins with individuals themselves when they come together to achieve a noble goal in serving the
public interest.
While the “Dawak Anna” initiative aims to provide essential medicines for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease,
to reduce financial burdens and ensure continuity of treatment.
Zainab Youssef, the project manager, indicated that coordination was made with several pharmacies to collect the medicines.
A specialized team undertook the sorting and validity
verification process, and the distribution was carried out according to organized records, including information about the beneficiaries (health and
social status), to ensure access to the most needy groups.
In a related context, the “Sons of Salma” initiative, which was launched with individual efforts and simple capabilities, aims to restore
life to the town and the surrounding villages with the help of its people,where the main roads were cleaned and the general appearance was improved.
While the upcoming stages, according to volunteer Muhammad
Hamdo, will include road repairs, tree planting campaigns to increase greenspaces and enhance the beauty of the area as a tourist destination, in addition
to encouraging small projects to meet the needs of the local community.
Hamdo pointed out that the initiative carries a symbolism that reflects the spirit of belonging and sense of responsibility among the
town’s residents, who seek to participate in rebuilding it and making a positive difference, in addition to taking steps that support government
efforts to secure and provide necessary services.
Hanan Shamout