{"id":114082,"date":"2024-05-19T18:46:43","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T18:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=114082"},"modified":"2024-05-20T05:16:58","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T05:16:58","slug":"local-ngos-fall-short-to-boost-healthcare-system-in-ne-syria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/114082\/","title":{"rendered":"Local NGOs fall short to boost healthcare system in NE Syria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Muhammad Habash<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press)<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> Faisal al-Ezzo, a young man who was born and raised in the city of Qamishli in northeast Syria, endures constant suffering due to his diagnosis of thalassemia since birth.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thalassemia is a disease that requires regular blood transfusions, as well as the ongoing provision of tests and medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder found across Syria and other parts of the Middle East. The condition causes the body to produce an abnormal protein in the blood which the immune system rejects, leading to anemia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview with North Press, al-Ezzo talked about the challenges he faces in obtaining blood, as he relies on the only available blood bank in Qamishli, which is located in the government-controlled neighborhood within the city, as blood donors cannot access to it, due to security reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Ezzo struggles to find blood donors as he needs blood transfusions three times a month. While he continues to bear the expenses of regular tests and medications, he calls on organizations and associations to establish blood banks and provide comprehensive healthcare services to assist needy patients in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Friends of Thalassemia”<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A group known as “Friends of Thalassemia” has been providing voluntary assistance to people with thalassemia in Qamishli since 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ahmad Dalini, Lab technician, along with the medical team, is working with Friends of Thalassemia, and provides free services to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told North Press that the group decided to help these individuals out of their own goodwill and free of charge, as there is a lack of support from organizations and associations in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further added that \u201cmore than 400 patients are in need of care, regular blood tests, psychological support, and medications.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their efforts to reach out and minimize the patients’ suffering, Dalini emphasized that continuous care and checkups are essential for their well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limited healthcare NGOs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Northeast Syria is currently facing a severe shortage of healthcare services provided by international organizations and associations, despite the presence of numerous local and international organizations operating in the region. Regrettably, only a few of these organizations prioritize delivering healthcare and psychological support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address the pressing need for specialized care, the Kurdish Red Crescent organization has established a dedicated department in a newly built hospital in Qamishli as of late 2023. This department focuses on treating cancer and thalassemia. However, due to limited support, the cancer department is currently only able to serve cancer patients, according to officials at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some local organizations, like the Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights, have limited their services to offering psychological and moral support and trauma care to individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diljan Hussein, a supervisor of psychological therapy at the Jiyan Foundation, revealed that the foundation deals with around 300 cases of psychological disorders each year. While they strive to provide comprehensive psychological, medical, and physical services as needed, they express concerns over the insufficient support they receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ma’ther al-Abbas, Co-chair of the Health Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Hasakah Governorate, highlighted that only a small number of organizations have contracts with the Health Board, despite the overall presence of NGOs in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that most NGOs primarily focus on Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor governorates due to their prior exposure to terrorist groups. However, she emphasized that Hasakah Governorate, despite its significant size, is also in dire need of healthcare support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the World Health Organization, al-Abbas pointed out that its support is minimal, citing the lack of international recognition for the AANES as a contributing factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given these circumstances, healthcare workers are urgently calling for increased support and funding for organizations involved in healthcare provision. They emphasize the need to raise health awareness and improve healthcare infrastructure across Northeast Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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