Urgent Humanitarian Call: Syria Faces a Dire Cancer Drug Crisis
In a heartfelt plea, Dr. Zuhair Qarat, Director of Planning and International Cooperation at Syria’s Ministry of Health, addressed a pressing crisis during a recent press conference titled “Urgent Humanitarian Call.” He emphasized that the severe shortage of cancer medications has become a genuine health and humanitarian emergency, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations across the country. Consequently, this scarcity is not just a logistical issue; it has a catastrophic impact on thousands of patients and their families, stripping them of hope and access to life-saving treatment.
A Plea to the Global Community
Importantly, this conference was not a mere technical meeting but a desperate appeal to the international community. The Ministry of Health is reaching out to key players like the United Nations, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the European Union, as well as friendly nations, humanitarian funds, and NGOs. On behalf of patients awaiting their next dose, parents unable to afford medicine, and doctors working without proper tools, the call underscores that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury. Thus, the request is not for the impossible but for what is urgently necessary to save lives.
The Harsh Reality for Cancer Patients
Dr. Jamil Al-Dabal, head of the National Advisory Committee for Blood and Oncology, highlighted the compounded suffering of cancer patients amid widespread poverty. For many, securing these drugs is nearly impossible due to their scarcity, exorbitant costs, and patients’ inability to purchase them. As a result, thousands face the risk of losing access to effective treatment, increasing mortality rates and deepening the emotional and financial burdens on families already stretched to their limits.
An Impending Health Catastrophe
Currently, Syria possesses only 20% of the required cancer medications for some types, while supplies for others have completely run out. Unless immediate action is taken, this crisis could spiral into a massive health disaster affecting both children and adults. Therefore, the Ministry urges local and international media to spotlight this dire situation, while affirming its readiness to collaborate transparently with any partner willing to help ensure treatments reach those in need.
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