Many Syrians are facing circumstances more dire than ever before, as the country's healthcare system is strained due to years of war and Western-imposed sanctions.
Following the ousting of the Bashar al-Assad government, and due to security concerns, many experienced doctors and nurses have left the country, causing a chronic shortage in staff. Additionally, many healthcare facilities across the country have been damaged by brutal wars.
Fortunately, more than half of the hospitals are still functioning across the country.
One of the main government hospitals in Damascus serves as a lifeline for Syrians who can't afford to pay for healthcare. But its services are crippled due to a lack of resources to cope with hundreds of patients seeking treatment.
"Our hospital is a central one. It receives big numbers of patients daily, as the health services are provided for free and the private hospitals are too expensive for people. We are trying to provide services within our abilities but we lack everything like beds, staff, nurses and doctors. Sometimes we have shortages in syringes and serum syringes, and lately we do not have serum materials at all," said Kalhed Swaidi, a doctor at the Damascus Hospital.
The hospital, like many others, is underfunded. Radiologist Muhammad Zedan explained that the radiology equipment is worn out from years of heavy use. Many medical apparatuses do not function because spare parts have been placed under sanctions.
The two ultrasonography machines still work, but the imaging produced by them is of poor quality. In many cases, this has led to doctors providing incorrect diagnoses. Consequently, these machines are no longer used.
"On my shift alone, I used to receive around 150 patients on average every day, and that caused the machines to be drained. This machine was bought in 2021, not a long time ago, but it was working around the clock so it broke down," said Zedan.
Despite the limited services, Damascus Hospital remains a lifeline for many.
Adham Saleh, hailing from northeastern Syria, injured his eye in an accident but found no ophthalmologist in his local area.
"Any hospital services provided in Damascus are considered good, compared with the health services in other provinces," said Saleh.
"I come here because it's free. I can't afford seeing doctors in the private sector, and I can't even afford the medicine. But this hospital is free," said Ali Shahrour.
The Syrian healthcare system is in a critical state, shattering the hopes of a better life for thousands of people.
Syrian hospitals struggle with limited resources, mounting patients
