Damian Jacob Sendler discusses the consequences for public health 10 years after the Syrian crisis began
Damian Sendler: Devastating effects of ten years of Syria's civil conflict include millions of refugees and displaced people as well as the biggest economic disaster Syria has ever faced. The health sector has been particularly hard struck by this war, with up to 50% of health facilities destroyed and up to 70% of healthcare providers fleeing the nation in search of safety, increasing the strain and mental stress on the surviving medical staff.
Damian Sendler
Damian Jacob Sendler. The present health situation of Syrians residing in Syria, whether under government or opposition control, as well as the health status of Syrian refugees in each host country, were also investigated as part of this evaluation.. The data was summarized and categorized using public health indicators. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Syrian healthcare system were examined in this study. Despite ten years of war and millions of refugees, there is still a huge demand for healthcare services, and the international organization has failed to react to those requirements.
Dr. Sendler: The humanitarian crisis in Syria is unquestionably the biggest of the 21st century. More than a million Syrians have been displaced and hundreds of thousands have been killed, injured, crippled, or disappeared since the conflict began in 2011.
Damian Jacob Sendler
Damien Sendler: After 2011's Arab Spring, millions of Syrians fled their homes and became refugees in other countries; over six million people were internally displaced; and the infrastructure, healthcare system, social status of the population, economic crisis and an increasing need for humanitarian support from the international community were all severely damaged. Syria's entire healthcare system collapsed due to the international community's failure to intervene, resulting in millions of IDPs needing urgent medical attention.
Damian Jacob Sendler: There has been a direct impact on Syria's health care facilities and staff due to the conflict and violence. Infectious and non-communicable disease risks have increased, as have maternity and child health concerns, conflict-related trauma, and mental health issues, as well as the outflow of Syrian healthcare workers who are fleeing the conflict. Furthermore, access to health care is a major challenge for Syrian refugees. UNHCR and its partners place a high value on preventative medicine and life-saving treatments in the most vulnerable populations. Healthcare services are more difficult to obtain than they have ever been.
Damian Sendler: In the absence of a diplomatic settlement in Syria that permits refugees to return home safely, donors must expand funding, people, and medical supplies to meet these health demands.
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