18 September 2017 – In response to the critical health needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Ar-Raqqa governorate in north-east Syria, the World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered more than 7 tons of medicines and emergency medical supplies to Al-Tabqa national hospital.

The shipment includes medicines and supplies for trauma care, diarrhoeal diseases, and noncommunicable diseases, as well as x-ray machines, ventilators, electrocardiographs, ultrasound machine and wheelchairs. The medical supplies are sufficient to treat more than 16 000 patients and 100 trauma cases.

As a result of mass displacement in Ar Raqqa governorate following escalating violence, more than half of the 180 000 people now residing Al-Tabqa city are internally displaced. Patients with diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses are unable to obtain needed life-saving essential medicines, and access to health facilities is limited due to extreme insecurity and damages to some health facilities.

Al-Tabqa national hospital was partially damaged in February 2017. With support from WHO, the emergency department was recently reopened to provide life-saving services to people affected by the ongoing conflict in north-east Syria. Supplies of medicines and medical equipment from WHO will also help facilitate the re-functioning of a number of other departments in the hospital, including the internal medicine and pediatric sections.

“WHO is committed to supporting health facilities in Ar Raqqa governorate to provide all displaced people, including those in the hardest-to-reach areas, with access to health services through the provision of emergency lifesaving medicines,” said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO Representative in Syria.

WHO has so far provided medicines sufficient for more than 600 000 treatments as part of its response in north-east Syria in 2017.

In light of the critical humanitarian situation in eastern and north-eastern regions of Syria, WHO is grateful for the recent support received from the Government of Japan, Qatar Charity and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID). A funding gap of US$ 10 million remains, impeding WHO’s ability to fully meet the immediate health needs of affected people in Ar-Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor and Al-Hassakeh governorates.

"WHO’s top priority is to help save lives of the injured and provide lifesaving medicines for patients with chronic diseases, as well as prevent sickness among thousands of children women and men who need health assistance in this crisis,” Hoff added.