The World Health Organization (WHO) continued to strengthen health care services for thousands of people in the area through the delivery of medicines and medical supplies to Al Tabqa National Hospital, northwest of Raqqa city. 

In a report released by WHO, Weighing almost 5 tons, the WHO shipment was provided with support from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the European Union and Norway, and includes medicines and medical supplies for 500 trauma cases and 37 000 medical treatments.

More than 13,500 people currently live in Raqqa city, where access to health services remains limited following the besiegement of the city from June to October 2017, the report read. 

Al Tabqa National Hospital, the closest hospital to Ar-Raqqa city, was partially damaged in February 2017 due to intensive fighting in the area. With WHO support, the emergency department, internal medicine and pediatric sections have been rehabilitated, and WHO continues to support the hospital through the provision of medicines and medical supplies, the report added. 

“The immediate objective of WHO, together with local health authorities and NGO partners, to scale up life-saving health services for thousands of people who had been deprived of essential health care. We are also ensuring the availability of quality vaccines for children,”, WHO Representative in Syria Elizabeth Hoff said. 

This is the second shipment of health supplies provided by WHO to Al-Tabqa National Hospital since the facility was re-opened. On 14 September 2017, WHO delivered more than 7 tons of life-saving medicines and emergency medical supplies, sufficient for the treatment of more than 100 trauma cases and 16,000 patients requiring emergency health services. 

Since its opening in September 2017, Al-Tabqa National Hospital has treated more than 3400 patients, including more than 800 women and 1300 children, the report noted.

Source: MENA