Damascus, SANA-Dr. Zuhair al-Qarrat, Director of Planning and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Health, met with a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss priorities for developing the health sector.
The discussions focused on issues related to medical personnel working in the sector and the challenges facing medical planning, education, and continuous training.
Participants at the meeting, held Sunday at the ministry’s headquarters, emphasized the necessity of strengthening the healthcare labor market, developing a specialized human resources system, evaluating the status of nursing staff, and providing them with the necessary support.
The meeting also explored mechanisms for enhancing the quality of training and qualification, leveraging the expertise of Syrian professionals abroad to support the healthcare system, and collecting accurate data to properly implement the development plan.
Dr. al-Qarrat underscored the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation to boost the health labor market. He explained that the ministry is communicating with Syrian doctors living abroad through associations in Europe, America, and Gulf countries to provide support to the health sector, or through delegations visiting Syria to offer expertise and training based on healthcare needs.
Dr. Gülin Gedik, WHO’s Health Workforce Coordinator, highlighted the importance of partnership with the ministry to overcome challenges and develop the national information system. She noted three initiatives: securing medicines and medical supplies, supporting human resources, and addressing matters related to health administration and systems.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri