
ACTNews, NORTHWEST SYRIA – The health status in
the Syrian northwest region has deteriorated. Based on the data released by
Reliefweb last April, from a thousand communities, 213 out of 1,000 communities
reported that no assessed medical items were available in their community; 123
out of 1,000 women were unable to give birth in formal health facilities, and
many experienced acute severe malnutrition.
The northwestern region of Syria is one of
the most densely populated areas. This region is home to four million people,
including most internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various other regions.
In May 2019, 330,000 people were displaced as the impact of the escalation of
conflict in North Hama and South Idlib. Most moved to the parts of Idlib that are
located close to the Turkish border.
“Given the scale of the ongoing population
displacement, mobile services are the most efficient way to rapidly increase
access to essential health services by the Syrians in need,” said Annette
Heinzelmann, Emergency Coordinator with the WHO field office in Gaziantep,
Turkey
Health facility problems in Southwest
Syria region include the lack of health facilities, the lack of transportation,
long coverage distance, high costs, and the security during the travel to the
health facilities.
Many residents try to do various ways to deal
with these problems. About 47 percent recycle medical items, use less than the
recommended dose of medications, or use nonmedical items for treatment.
Reliefweb also mentioned three of the most needed medical equipment include
medicines, antenatal support, and chronic disease support. Meanwhile, the most common
health problems reported were severe diseases affecting those younger than
five, chronic diseases, and acute respiratory infections.
The lack of medical assistance was the
result of the escalation of the military operations in the Northwest Syrian
region since April 2019. []