 |
|
|
|
| |
Syria International Health Insurance / Syria Healthcare System
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 The Syrian
Arab Republic is a country located in the Middle East, bordered by
Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea. Syria has
one of the most dense populations in the Middle East, having a
large population of 21 million people and an area of 18,180 square
kilometers. Over the last few decades, a large proportion of the
Syrian population migrated to urban areas in the country for
better education and employment opportunities. Today, more than 50
percent of the population live in urban areas confined to the west
coast, the capital Damascus, and in the northeast region of the
Euphrates river valley. Syria is classed as a middle developing
country, with approximately 30 percent of the population living in
poverty.
Syria's Ministry of Health is able to provide relatively adequate
health care services for the Syrian population; however there are
some challenges with the current system in place. Syria has a
highly dense and urbanized population; placing a large strain on
the services in which it can provide. The MoH has a poor health
administration system and there is a lack of coordination between
its health care institutions. Due to limited finance, doctors in
public health care facilities are paid relatively low wages.
Together these factors have resulted in poor health care delivery
including long waiting lists, overcrowded facilities, poorly
trained nurses, and high turnover of skilled healthcare staff.
Syria's MoH is in the process of making changes in its health care
system in order to overcome these challenges and accommodate the
country's changing environment.
Syria's Ministry of Health initiated a public health program in
the 1980s which greatly improved the overall health status of the
population. Health care reforms focused on preventive health care,
maternity care, and vaccinations. Access to healthcare was
significantly improved with the introduction of a universal free
health care system, as well as increasing the number of health
care institutions across the entire country.
Under a universal free health care system, the Syria Government
fully subsidizes essential health care services including primary
health care, medications, maternity, surgery, allied health and
dentistry. The Syria Government also provides a partial
subsidization on private health care costs. Although access to
health care in Syria has improved, free health care has lead to
overuse of health care services in Syria. The allocation of
government health care expenditure has not taken into account the
rise in health care costs and demand from the population. As such,
the Syria Government is having difficulty delivering quality
health care services.
The Syrian Ministry of Health provides healthcare services in
Syria at the provincial, village and district level. Syria's urban
population has 100 percent access to local health services, with
rural areas having approximately 90 percent access. Access to
hospitals is a problem in Syria with the majority of facilities
located in the capital Damascus, as well as cities such as Aleppo,
Sweida, and Tartous. At the provincial level, patients can receive
primary health care at urban health centers offering immunization,
prenatal care, family planning, health screening and referral to
hospitals for specialized medical care. At the district level,
health centers provide primary care and are typically staffed with
a physician, nurse, dentist and sometimes a pediatrician or
obstetrician. Districts will normally have a general hospital. At
the village level, rural health centers and health unit provide
basic primary health care services.
Private health care institutions are confined to the capital
Damascus. Incomplete data makes it difficult to determine the
number of patients availing themselves of private health care,
however it is estimated that approximately 30 percent of Syria's
surgical procedures are performed by the private sector. More and
more patients are opting for health care services under the
private system for better quality services including no waiting
lists, choice of doctor and for overall better quality of health
care service delivery. However, similar to other countries
worldwide, private health care is very expensive in Syria. As
such, it is highly recommended that expats obtain a comprehensive
health insurance plan to ensure ease of access to quality health
care services in Syria.
Syria's health care system is likely to change in the near future.
Over the last few decades, there has been discussion regarding the
introduction of a Social Health Insurance (SHI) system. The SHI is
likely to be means tested, allocating free healthcare to those
from lower income levels and forcing other Syrians to share the
costs of the medical bill. There is a debate around the
introduction of the SHI, with increased funding from the public it
is expected that government hospitals will improve their health
care services and attract skilled and committed doctors. There are
concerns that this may put the private health care sector out of
business.
Communicable diseases are prevalent in Syria. Cases of malaria and
insect borne diseases, such as leishmaniasis are reported
throughout Syria, particularly affecting northern Syria in the Al
Hasakah Province. Leishmaniasis is transmitted from a bite of an
infected sandfly, with symptoms typically including skin sores,
ulcerations and high fever. Complications can occur from
leishmaniasis including deadly infection due to immune system
failure and internal bleeding. Other infectious diseases prevalent
in Syria include typhoid, brucellosis, hepatitis and tuberculosis
are also prevalent in Syria. Water is generally safe to drink in
Syria, however bottled water is recommended while traveling
outside urban areas. Necessary precautions should be practiced to
avoid getting sick in Syria, including vaccinations, anti-malarial
medication and application of insect repellent.
Syria has experienced periods of civil unrest and violent
demonstrations throughout the country in recent years. In 2011,
protests took place in Syrian cities including the capital
Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama Dera'a, Latakia and Baniayas, where
significant numbers of casualties and fatalities were reported. It
is highly advisably that all expats and travelers in Syria monitor
the media for information relating to public protests and
demonstrations, as these events are likely to turn violent.
Emergency protocols should be adopted by residents during the
event of an accident, serious illness or criminal offense. The
emergency contact number for ambulance services in Syria is 1-1-0,
police services in Syria is 1-1-2, or fire brigade service in
Syria is 1-1-3.
|
|
Syria International Health Insurance |
| |
At Globalsurance we can offer you a wide variety of international
health insurance plans from world leading insurers. For more
information about Syria medical insurance plans, or to receive a
free Syria International Health Insurance Quote, please
contact
one of our dedicated advisers today.
|
|
|
|
|
