Crumbling Health Infrastructure
In Syria’s hospitals, the struggle to provide basic medical care is a daily battle. Little Rayan, an 11-month-old baby suffering from a congenital heart defect, is a stark example of the immense challenges facing patients. Born with a hole in her heart, her growth is stunted, her breathing labored, and her family’s hopes rest on a long-awaited surgery. Unfortunately, her reality is shared by many others, as Syria’s health system is on the brink of collapse.
Hospitals in Damascus, the capital, are grappling with critical shortages of functioning medical equipment. At one of the leading cardiology centers, half of the diagnostic machines are broken, and the only remaining scanner is barely operational. Similarly, the hospital’s operating capacity is severely limited, with just one functional surgical room and a shortage of trained anesthetists. This has created an agonizing two-year waiting list for children in need of life-saving cardiac surgeries, with even emergency cases waiting up to a year.
Families seeking treatment for their loved ones face overwhelming obstacles. Many must travel hundreds of miles to reach hospitals equipped for specialized care, exposing fragile patients like Rayan to health risks along the way. Nurses at the cardiology center worry that even a common cold could jeopardize Rayan’s chance of surgery, a reminder of how fragile the healthcare system has become.
The Role of Sanctions in Syria’s Crisis
Economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union have added immense strain to Syria’s already crumbling health infrastructure. These sanctions, designed to pressure the government, have made it nearly impossible for hospitals to maintain or replace vital medical equipment. Lifesaving machines like MRI and CT scanners are frequently out of service, and laboratories lack the necessary tools to perform critical tests.
Although exemptions for medical supplies exist on paper, the reality is much more complicated. International companies are reluctant to deal with Syria due to the extensive paperwork and fear of violating sanctions regulations. This overcompliance creates delays, making it harder to procure essential equipment and medicines.
Local pharmaceutical production, which once supplied most of Syria’s medicine needs, has been decimated by the conflict and sanctions. As a result, pharmacies are left with expensive, imported drugs that are often of poor quality. Many families are forced to pool money from friends and relatives to afford life-saving medications, only to find that it is too late when the medicine finally arrives.
The sanctions’ chilling effect is felt deeply throughout the country. International aid agencies working in Syria report significant challenges in securing necessary medical supplies. Even with temporary waivers, the time required to raise funds and complete procurement processes means that critical items often arrive too late. For example, a six-month waiver issued after a devastating earthquake in 2023 allowed some equipment imports, but many “pain points” in the health sector remain unresolved.
Daily Struggles of Patients and Medical Workers
For ordinary Syrians, the healthcare crisis is a daily burden. Hospitals operate in the shadow of a severe electricity shortage, with power outages lasting up to 22 hours a day. Backup generators are unavailable in 71% of primary healthcare facilities, leaving doctors and patients in the dark. Without consistent electricity, medical machines break down faster, and repairs or replacements are nearly impossible to secure.
Healthcare workers face insurmountable challenges as they try to provide care in these dire conditions. Patients must often bear the additional financial burden of traveling long distances to hospitals and paying for accommodations. For families already struggling with poverty, these costs are a heavy burden.
Inside pharmacies, the grim reality of Syria’s health crisis becomes even clearer. Customers quietly pray for affordable medication as pharmacists calculate bills that are often out of reach for most families. Stories abound of patients who die waiting for treatment because their families couldn’t gather enough money in time to purchase the needed drugs.
The sanctions, while intended to target those in power, have instead caused immense suffering among ordinary people. Medical workers and patients alike feel the weight of these restrictions every day. Many wonder why the health system, which should be a sanctuary for the sick and vulnerable, has become yet another victim of a political and economic conflict.
From broken machines to empty pharmacy shelves, the pain points in Syria’s healthcare system are clear. The burden falls hardest on families like Rayan’s, who endure sleepless nights and long journeys to seek care that may never come. These struggles serve as a sobering reminder of how policies meant to punish governments can have unintended and devastating consequences for the most vulnerable.