Health needs in Syria continue to be severe. In 2024, more than 16 million people needed lifesaving and life-sustaining health services—the largest number since the beginning of the crisis. The country’s health system, which was already heavily disrupted by years of civil war, has been further affected by factors such as decreasing humanitarian support, outbreaks of measles and cholera, and the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria on February 6, 2023, putting additional burden on the healthcare infrastructure—the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks destroyed or damaged at least 228 health facilities and worsened socioeconomic conditions in the country.
In Homs governorate, home to 1.5 million residents, including more than 290,000 internally displaced persons, the crisis is exacerbated by economic hardships, food insecurity and deteriorating public services. Inflation has driven food and medicine prices beyond the reach of many. These challenges have left families reliant on humanitarian aid for survival.
Twenty-month-old Fahed lives with his parents and three siblings in Maskaneh, a town in Homs. He was sick, and accessing healthcare, such as consultations and lab tests, required his mother to travel to the city center—the Maskaneh Primary Healthcare Center (PHCC) was damaged. It did not have any equipment in the lab, and the pharmacy had a limited medication stock. Meanwhile, the journey to the city center was expensive, and the financial constraints often delayed or prevented timely care for Fahed and many others like him.
With funding from the European Union, International Medical Corps was able to rehabilitate the PHCC. This intervention included donating essential laboratory supplies and medical equipment, including dental units, a baby scale and an ultrasound device, installing a solar-powered system, and critical structural renovations. Previously, lab technicians had to discard essential test samples due to power outages. However, the installation of the solar-powered system eliminated electricity-related disruptions. The lab technicians can now conduct accurate and timely tests without requiring patients to return for repeat tests.
Before donating medical equipment, the capacity for lab tests was limited, with 440 blood tests and 131 urinalysis tests conducted monthly. After International Medical Corps’ support, the numbers increased significantly to 1,125 blood tests and 147 urinalysis tests per month. Newly introduced spectrophotometry, sugar analysis and hematology tests have enhanced diagnostic accuracy. SGPT enzyme analysis—previously unavailable at the PHCC—now helps diagnose hepatitis.
The dental unit, also provided by International Medical Corps, serves approximately 226 patients every month, providing critical oral healthcare, while the baby scale helps to monitor the growth of some 700 children per month, improving pediatric healthcare. Roof repairs have safeguarded laboratory equipment from water leaks, while solar-powered lighting has eliminated the need for staff to use mobile phone flashlights during winter.
“Earlier, we had no choice but to use our phone’s flashlights to examine patients when the power went out. It was challenging to work under such conditions. Now, we feel much more comfortable to work at the clinic. With constant electricity from solar power, we can provide accurate test results to patients,” says Lab Technician Kahla Dawood.
With the rehabilitation of the PHCC, Fahed’s mother now receives free consultations, lab tests and medications for her children, saving her family approximately $10 per visit. These savings are life-changing for families like Fahed’s, with a monthly income of approximately $28. “I no longer need to travel to Homs city for consultations and tests. The rehabilitated PHCC provides everything for free, which has been a huge financial relief for my family,” says Fahed’s mother.
The Maskaneh PHCC is now a fully functional healthcare center, capable of addressing a wide range of patient needs. Some 350,000 people visit the PHCC for the comprehensive health services it offers. The donation of medical equipment and renovations have transformed it into a lifeline for the vulnerable population in Homs, providing essential diagnostic services and treatment.
