Protecting Healthcare in Syria

This report examines the destruction of health facilities, the targeting of health workers and access to healthcare

Abstract

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) requested the Syria Independent Monitoring (SIM) consortium to investigate efforts to protect healthcare facilities and workers in Syria from conflict risks, primarily targeted attacks.

This report provides additional details to the existing body of evidence documenting the destruction of health facilities, the targeting of health workers and the subsequent deterioration of access to healthcare for Syrians. It also highlights coping mechanisms used by health practitioners and patients to escape risks and to continue providing or accessing healthcare.

The report further offers insights into their opinions on solutions the international community should implement to better protect them, triangulated with the input of key international health experts outside of Syria.

It was based on primary data collection in multiple governorates across Syria and involved:

  • 213 interviews with health workers in Syria
  • 507 interviews with members of the public in Syria who sought medical care in 2017
  • 45 interviews with health experts, inside and outside Syria

This work is part of the Syria Technical Assistance (Independent Monitoring contract)

Citation

Syria Independent Monitoring consortium (2018) Protecting Healthcare in Syria

Protecting Healthcare in Syria

Updates to this page

Published 18 August 2018