Syria Healthcare crisis

The Issue

Millions of Syrians are facing harsh consequences because of a healthcare crisis from the years of war that has taken place in Syria, there is destruction of medical facilties and clinics and a huge shortage of resources. As a result of this, access to even the most basic medical care like cuts is very close to impossible for most families. This leaves them very vulnerable to the preventable diseases and life-threatening conditions that have now risen since the start of the war.

More than a decade of fighting in the Civil War has left the country's healthcare system very dry with no help whatsoever. The opponents have targeted hospitals and clinics on purpose, and this leaves many hospitals inoperable or even destroyed (World Health Organization). The shortage of medical personnel, medicine and the proper equipment for the appropriate conditions means that those who are in desperate need of treatment end up not having many options but to fight through it themselves which makes them prone to unnecessary death. So instead, the Syrians are forced to travel very long distances in the dangerous conditions that are there with the Civil War in search of a standing hospital and if it's standing, they are looking for an even half qualified doctor to save their lives.

As a result of all this, the consequences are very saddening, newborns are dying because of a lack of incubators, cancer patients are unable to access their chemotherapy and pregnant women giving birth in very unsafe conditions as well as unsanitary but also without medical assistance. This can only mean that the suffering is most likely unimaginable and without someone or something stepping in and helping, the situation will get even worse. (United Nations Office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, 2023) 

Stories of Struggle

Some real stories to shed light on the situation:

There is a little girl named Aya, who is 6 years old and suffers from type 1 Diabetes. She has a very hard time getting access to insulin and her health is declining at a dangerous rate. Her mother, Leila, Says she has tried everything to get the insulin for her daughter by even travelling to other towns but every time she has been turned away because there's a huge shortage. Leila says “I'm watching my child suffer every day, and there's nothing I can do. It's unbearable” (Doctors without Borders, 2024)

Amina Who is a pregnant woman, was forced to flee her home which is called Homs. She had walked miles for medical help because she was going into labour and knew she couldn't do it herself. When she finally found a clinic, The staff was not supposed to help her and she gave birth right on the floor with only another woman Who wasn't a professional but helped her through the delivery. She says “I was terrified. I had no doctor, no medicine, and no choice”. (UNICEF,2023)

A 72-year-old man named Hassan was diagnosed with a heart disease almost 2 years ago. Before the Civil War had even started, he was getting regular checkups and was receiving medication to help preserve himself. Since the war started, most hospitals have closed or have no supplies and he's gone months without treatment even though he desperately needs it. He says “I used to be able to live a normal life with my medication. Now, I just wait, hoping that help will come before it's too late” (IRC,2023)

These stories demonstrate the suffering that they are going through and with all that they are also silent. Even though there are a lot of statistics on what's going on, it's not about that, It's about the people, their families, and their communities and it's all being torn apart by a bad medical system that has fallen apart. 

Why this matters

I think everyone can agree that healthcare is a human right and no one should have to die from a very treatable condition, suffer due to a lack of medicine, as well as give birth in a dangerous and very unsanitary environment. 

There are over 50% of healthcare facilities that have been destroyed or are inoperable due to the war (World Health Organization)

The World Health Organization also says that an estimated 70% of serious healthcare workers have fled or they've also died and this has created a severe shortage of doctors, nurses and specialists.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that there are now highly infectious diseases like cholera and measles which have resurfaced and this is because of a lack of sanitation, vaccinations and there is no proper medical response.

Doctors without Borders says there are thousands of patients with chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, and they are being left untreated and this is putting their lives at higher risk which leads to a very unnecessary death.

Can you imagine someone you love who is a victim of a chronic illness, for example, Cancer and he/she not being able to get the treatment he/she desperately needs.

This just isnt fair and everyone should recieve the correct treatment to live a happy life.

This lack of healthcare is not only a crisis but is honestly a death sentence for these people and without the proper intervention the number of deaths will always rise and there will be more unnecessary deaths.

What are we asking for?

We should all come together as a whole in the band that there should be action from humanitarian organizations, governments, international donors, people of wealth, and anyone with the ability to provide medical aid. 

A serious and endangered healthcare system is in need of these funds, and we must act now.

Some demands

We need emergency medical aid, and immediate delivery of medicine, medical equipment, and supplies to treat certain diseases.

We need construction to rebuild healthcare facilities, rehabilitation facilities, and clinics   

We need someone to train, recruit, and provide financial assistance for the Syrian doctors and nurses to continue their work and start saving lives Because Syria needs it and deserves it

The Syrians need safe access to healthcare and protection of these medical facilities from the attacks that they are being endured and this will give patients the knowledge to be safe and seek treatment without fear.

We need to increase international attention to this matter and put pressure on global leaders to provide solutions for Syria. This cannot go on forever.

This crisis cannot be ignored much longer. Governments, charities, and wealthy individuals with power must speak out and try to make a difference, whether that's donating, speaking out, or even pushing for a policy that changes the healthcare aid for Syrians.

Take action now

There is no need for death in Syria. Every signature that gets put on this petition will represent a step towardschange forever. Just your support can encourage other people and governments, as well as organizations, to take action and provide the healthcare systems that Syria needs.

Here are some ways to help

You can sign the petition, which will urge other people to provide medical aid for Syria, share this petition with your family, friends, and social media to spread awareness, donate to humanitarian organizations that provide medical assistance to Syria, or you can contact your local government and urge them to speak out about the serious situation and to increase the aid for them or provide funding.

Some Organizations that we call upon are the Doctors of the world, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, and Syrian Expatriate Medical Association. If any others are willing to help then please donate.

Some Governments we call upon are the United States and Canadian Government to provide any sort of assistance or financial aid.

We also call upon Elon Musk and his organization of billionaires to provide financial assistance and save Syria.

Another way to help, is if you have any extra money lying around that you know can go to a better cause, donate it to this Petition and support these suffering Syrians.

This isn't just a fight for healthcare, you would be fighting for every Syrian life. You have the power to make a difference, but we need to act now.

Sign and share today, your voice matters, and every life matters.