A new life for a clinic in Syria

Lubna Zarzour, Communications Officer

Tal Salhab Primary Health Centre, located in Hama Governorate, after the rehabilitation work is finished. Medair has conducted rehabilitation for the clinic and facilitated the rehabilitation by supplying medical equipment and some medications to the clinic. ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour

“The clinic is ready!”

The news was music to Dr Eyad’s,(the director of Tal Salhab clinic), ears. Medair had just completed the rehabilitation of Tal Salhab’s only primary health centre, providing it with much-needed medical equipment – offering a lifeline to over 30,000 people in crisis-torn western-central Syria.

Situated in Hama governorate, western-central Syria, the Tal Salhab village had weathered its fair share of storms. From a bustling community hub, it had weathered a 13-year storm of challenges, compounded by the recent tremors of an earthquake.

At the heart of Tal Salhab lay a humble healthcare facility, once a vital lifeline for its residents and neighbouring villages. The facility used to serve not only Tal Salhab but also surrounding villages. However, it lacked basic equipment and services, and was no longer operational.

Medair stepped in to help, conducting a comprehensive needs assessment followed by a renovation of the clinic. Medair rehabilitated the Primary Health Center (PHC), including repairs to cracks and broken windows damaged from the earthquake. This included constructing prefabricated compartments to provide additional consultation spaces, rehabilitating the water and sanitation systems, and installing a solar system to improve the electricity supply. Additionally, Medair provided furniture, medical equipment, and essential medications, along with basic lifesaving health services.

The impact was immediate. Rana, a young mother of a three-year-old son, Kareem, and expecting her second baby in a month, now confidently comes to the clinic, “I get vitamins for Kareem and bring him regularly to get his vaccines. Additionally, I’m receiving prenatal care, all free of charge,” says Rana with gratitude.

Some of the equipment that Medair provided to the dental clinic in Tal Salhab Primary Health Center in Hama governorate. Medair rehabilitated, equipped, and provided the center with some medications. ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour

Following Medair’s support, the clinic expanded its services to include vital care for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five. This encompassed nutrition assistance, including mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) exams, treatments for Leishmaniasis, childhood vaccines, dental care, and the provision of free medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and multivitamins.

Nawal, a dedicated midwife at the clinic, witnessed a remarkable surge in visitors, soaring from 25 to an astounding 100 per month. “The new ultrasound machine is a game-changer,” she explains, attributing the increased number of pregnant women attending the clinic – 50 in the last month alone.

“Tal Salhab Primary Health Center witnessed a surge in visitors, from 25 to 100 per month after Medair completed the rehabilitation, equipping and providing Medications to the clinic. “The new ultrasound machine is a game-changer,” explains Nawal, a midwife, attributing the increased number of pregnant women attending the clinic (50 in the last month alone)” ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour

For 27-year-old Hanan, navigating her fifth month of pregnancy, Medair’s intervention was nothing short of life-changing. “I had to go to a private clinic every month for check-ups. This visit cost me about 12,000 SYP (1 USD) for transportation because there was no nearby clinic in Tal Salhab village and about 35,000 SYP (2.7 USD) for the doctor. Sometimes, he prescribed multivitamins, which meant more money to pay. Consequently, I wasn’t able to go or buy the vitamins in many cases,” says Hanan. “Now, it’s just a walk to the health centre and I can get all the needed checkups and vitamins for free” she adds with palpable relief.

At Medair, we seek to support vulnerable people in the most affected areas across Syria. Our impactful work, made possible by generous donors like the Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF) managed by OCHA, brings hope and renewed vitality to thousands of Syrians in need.

“Sameer, Medair’s Health assistant holding a newborn baby who came with his mother to Tal Salhab Primary Health Center to get his vaccine. Tal Salhab Primary Health Center witnessed a surge in visitors, from 25 to 100 per month after Medair completed the rehabilitation, equipping and providing Medications to the clinic.” ©Medair/Lubna Zarzour

Our work in Syria is made possible by, the Syrian Humanitarian Fund (SHF) and generous private donors like you.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organization.