Living conditions for most Syrians are cramped and overcrowded, with an overstretched health system grappling to cope with the most basic health needs. The outbreak of Covid-19 in northern Syria in 2020, which is still affecting both host communities and displaced Syrians, is a grave cause for concern. 

Once cases of the pandemic were diagnosed in mid-2020, Bahar made plans to set up a specialised treatment unit and began its work to battle the spread of the disease, especially among the most vulnerable families in northeast Syria. This contingency response has now been reactivated on 16^th of November 2021, along with the resumption of 7 primary healthcare centres providing medical consultations, lab tests, medications, referrals through 7 ambulances, and nutrition screening and treatment. 

“We recognised the need to reopen a treatment unit for patients displaying signs of Covid-19 in Ar-Raqqa”, said Dr Sharvan Ibesh, ED of Bahar. As cases continue to rise, Bahar sectioned off two floors in the Ar-Raqqa National Hospital to provide medical care to patients with the most severe cases, in line with the World Health Organisation case management protocols. 

The Syria Recovery Trust Fund supported the services at the Covid-19 specialized hospital and the seven primary healthcare centres throughout four continuous phases (phase I-IV). SRTF approved the new current phase (IV) of the health intervention in response to the ongoing health situation in Ar-Raqqa. Bahar through this phase will maintain the services of seven PHC clinics and ambulances that have already been established and are providing basic healthcare in the seven locations that have previously been supported. General medicine, paediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, internal medicine, laboratory, pharmacy, ambulatory care, and community outreach are among the bundle of services provided by the seven PHCs in the Ar-Raqqa district. Whereas Bahar's intervention in service provision at the Covid-19 specialized hospital will continue with a capacity of 50 beds, out of them, 20 fully equipped intensive care unit ICU beds, 20 ventilator machines, managed by 116 medical and administrative staff. 

For further information please contact Mohammed Mahrousa, Head of Programs at Mohammed.mahrousa@bahar.ngo