UNICEF: Creating a new model of health care in Syria

HUSSINAYA, Syria, 30 July 2009 Situated only 14 km from Damascus, the Hussinaya district home to many Iraqi refugees and other displaced people feels a long way from the rapid development so visible elsewhere in Syria.

The Hussinaya district health centre was a strong example of such neglect. But in 2007, UNICEF and local non-governmental organizations overhauled the community health centre to address this problem, bringing in specialized staff to address urgent infant and maternal health needs.

The family-friendly atmosphere, the new electronic queuing systems and the introduction of home visits all partly explain why use of public health care services has increased three-fold since 2007.

In fact, buoyed by bold collaboration between UNICEF and local partners, the centres community-oriented approach has been cited as a possible solution for some of Syrias most serious health care problems.

Whether or not this model is widely replicated, it is clear that a centre originally designed to serve the immediate health needs of Iraqi refugees has expanded impressively. It is now a veritable boon to all of the families in the area be they Iraqi, Syrian or Palestinian.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/syria_50458.html

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Nonprofits & Activism

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• UNICEF
• Syria
• Damascus
• Hussinaya
• health
• care
• children
• hospitals