Syria Cannot Recover Without a Rebuilt Health System

Last week, European Union (EU) and Syrian officials met in Brussels to discuss the country's reconstruction. The EU pledged 14 million euros ($16.25 million) to restore Ar-Rastan Hospital in Homs, a notable contribution. However, the gap between what returnees face and what they need for a healthy life remains a major obstacle to Syria's recovery. After 14 years of conflict, Syria confronts a public health crisis that no government can solve alone.

According to a report by Relief International, many of the 3.7 million Syrian returnees are encountering a shattered health system after years of war. Specifically, 78% of returnees in Deir Az Zor reported having no health services. In al-Tebni district, 41% of surveyed households said at least one member could not access emergency care in the past six months. Staff shortages, lack of equipment, and long waiting times are life-threatening barriers.

Across the 50 health facilities that Relief International supports, teams witness the daily toll: children with acute malnutrition, adults with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension without medicine, pregnant women and newborns lacking proper obstetric care. Many have stopped seeking care, losing trust in quality or facing prohibitive costs.

Families like Aref’s in al-Tebni are a case in point. When Aref returned to his hometown a few months ago, he found the local health center closed: the gate locked, staff gone, pharmacy empty, no asthma medication he needed. After years of instability, his family was pained to realize that while home existed, health services did not.

The report also shows that 86% of women surveyed experienced anxiety and psychological distress due to conflict and displacement. Psychosocial support services remain critically underfunded and understaffed. About 28% of Syrians now live with some form of disability—nearly double the global average—yet rehabilitation is one of the least funded areas.

Rebuilding the health system requires investment in primary health care: clinics, doctors, midwives, community health workers, and supply chains. Psychosocial support must be strengthened as part of primary care. Specialized services are also needed for women and girls, malnourished children, people with chronic diseases, and persons with disabilities.

Last week’s Brussels meeting was a crucial turning point in international cooperation. Governments, donors, and other stakeholders must assess whether their commitments match the scale of a sustainable recovery for Syria.