Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
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Geneva, SANA_ Health Minister Dr. Nizar Yazigi said on Wednesday that the health sector in Syria had achieved remarkable development in health indicators prior to the crisis, particularly in maternal and child health care.
Minister Yazigi, who heads Syria’s delegation to the 68th session of the World Health Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, pointed out in a speech that Syria achieved self-sufficiency in domestically-produced medicine, citing 70 domestic pharmaceutical factories which cover 93% of the local market needs.
He added that Syria exports medicine to as many as 58 countries while imports are limited to some quality drugs and vaccines.
Yazigi indicated that the global war against Syria gravely impacted the health sector as he said 33 out of 133 hospitals have become dysfunctional, 202 of the health staff were killed and another 142 injured during the crisis due to terrorist attacks against health centers and establishments.
The minister clarified that the unfair economic sanctions imposed on the Syrians have increased their suffering and left a negative impact on the health sector, adding that Syrian government has spared no effort to meet the citizens’ needs against tough odds through enhancing cooperation with friendly countries and international organizations such as WHO.
Yazigi cited Syria’s story of success as it managed to beat polio which resurged in 2013, noting that since January 2014 no new infection has been registered in Syria.
Commenting on the situation in the occupied Golan, Yazigi confirmed that the health conditions of the Syrians there are deteriorating due to the Israeli repressive practices amid lack of basic healthcare services and the absence of health centers.
By contrast, added the minister, the Israeli authorities are treating injured terrorists fleeing to Israel and facilitating their return back to Syria to commit more crimes by targeting citizens and infrastructure in a clear breach of the international law.
Syria is participating in the 68th session of the World Health Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva with the participation of health ministers and delegations from 194 countries members of World Health Organization (WHO).
Manar al-Frieh/Manal
