ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian Health Minister Musab al-Ali said Friday that his ministry is working to support the health sector in northeast Syria’s (Rojava) Hasaka province through coordination with local authorities, security officials, and other active parties to facilitate the work of medical institutions.
Ali told Rudaw the ministry and Hasaka governorate are jointly focusing on accelerating the activation of al-Shaddadi Hospital, while efforts are underway to address shortages at hospitals in Qamishli, Derik (al-Malikiyah), and Hasaka city “as soon as possible.”
He added that the delegation visiting Hasaka included eight central directors from the health ministry.
The minister said improvements would not be immediate, “but there are urgent changes that have already occurred,” pointing to the arrival of kidney dialysis machines, ambulances, and a mobile clinic, as well as the delivery of medical equipment and supplies to several hospitals.
Ali said the ministry’s three-year strategic health plan “is published, known, and available to everyone via social media,” adding that the visit aims to conduct a field assessment of health needs and develop practical plans for improvement.
The comments come as displaced Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava) face severe shortages of life-saving medicines and limited access to medical care amid a tightening siege around Qamishli.
According to the city’s health department, nearly 1,000 displaced people are currently ill, more than 400 of whom suffer from chronic diseases.