A Saudi delegation from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) recently visited major hospitals in Syria to assess their basic needs. The delegation met with Syrian Health Minister Maher Al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss ways to enhance humanitarian and medical cooperation. They agreed on setting priorities to support the medical sector and achieving health equity for all Syrian citizens. Al-Sharaa acknowledged challenges in the health sector due to corruption and nepotism during the former regime. The visit comes as the new Syrian administration focuses on rehabilitating infrastructure, including the health sector damaged during the civil war. The Saudi delegation’s visit coincided with the dispatch of relief planes and the first convoy of the Saudi relief land bridge, part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
The sixth relief plane arrived at Damascus International Airport, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies as part of the Saudi air bridge. Additionally, sixty trucks crossed through the Jaber Border Crossing of Jordan, marking the first convoy of the Saudi relief land bridge. KSrelief also announced the opening of the door to volunteering with specialized Saudi medical expertise to support the health sector in Syria. The Saudi volunteer program, Amal, aims to meet the urgent needs of the health sector in more than 20 specialties. Specialists wishing to volunteer their expertise are urged to register in the program, which lasts for a full year to support the Syrian health sector damaged during the civil war.
The Amal program seeks volunteers in various specialties including pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, emergency medicine, psychological support, orthopedics, and more. KSrelief Spokesperson Dr. Samer Al-Jatili highlighted that the external volunteering platform launched by the center aims to support the health sector in Syrian cities during the current humanitarian crisis. He emphasized the importance of providing an opportunity for Saudi volunteers in the health sector to meet the needs of the Syrian health sector in all regions of the country. Saudi health cadres have already made a significant impact through the program, providing aid and assistance in various countries around the world and performing numerous operations in different specialties.
The experience gained from the program will be crucial in extending help to the Syrian side during this difficult period and saving the lives of many Syrians through various forms of medical care provided by the program. The Amal program is launched under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, recognizing Saudi Arabia’s charitable, humanitarian, and pioneering role towards affected communities globally. The Saudi delegation’s visit and the initiatives taken by KSrelief reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people and improving the healthcare sector in the war-torn country.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Syria in the healthcare sector, as evidenced by the recent visit of the KSrelief delegation and the launch of the Amal program, is a significant step towards enhancing humanitarian and medical cooperation between the two countries. The support provided by Saudi volunteers in various medical specialties will be invaluable in addressing the urgent needs of the Syrian health sector, which has been severely affected by the civil war. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and contributing to the rehabilitation of the healthcare infrastructure in Syria. As the Kingdom continues to provide relief aid and support to the Syrian people, initiatives like the Amal program will play a crucial role in building a healthier and more resilient healthcare system in the country.
