The blockade limits the procurement of medicines and spare parts for medical devices, however, health services were not suspended, while being offered free of charge in state hospitals and polyclinics, the deputy health minister told journalists.

The official revealed that the country has 101 hospitals, 30 of which were completely destroyed and are out of service, while 24 others suffered partial destruction, some of which are under reconstruction.

During 2021, a total of 31 health centers were restored and six hospitals reopened again in the different provinces, he said.

Damiriya stressed that despite hardships resulting from the war and the blockade, oncological and chronic medicines continue to be provided free of charge.

Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabash, recently denounced that the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States and the European Union seriously damage the health sector and hinder Syria’s capacity to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to keep the country from acquiring medical equipment and medications necessary to fight the disease.

mh/iff/jha/fm