COVID-19 IN SYRIA: EXPLORING THE SOCIOECONOMIC, HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND HUMANITARIAN IMPACTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
Authors: NEZAMI SULTAN A. ,   Samara State Medical University, PROTASOV ANDREI D. , ZHESTKOV ALEXANDER V. , FALALEEVA EVGENIYA A. ,   Samara State Medical University,   Samara State Medical University,   Samara State Medical University
Published: July 2024

Abstract. Introduction. The challenges that have been facing the Syrian population inside the Syrian Arab Republic varied during the last 12 years. The ongoing war and its general impacts on the country and population made it nearly impossible to face any new challenges. In such difficult environment, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived to the country adding salt to injury. Aim. This article aims to gather the reliable information that explains the breakout of COVID-19 pandemic in Syria, its consequences on the war-torn country, the measures taken to restrain the pandemic, and the difficulties that have been faced while constraining the pandemic. Materials and Methods. This study review focuses on the published articles and surveys that examine the COVID-19 pandemic in Syria. Results and Discussion. Between March 2020 and April 2022, different regions in Syria reported 197,244 confirmed cases all around the country. Also, 7,182 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported. The government-controlled areas have shown practically larger death numbers than other areas, followed by north-west and north-east Syria. COVID-19 cases in government-controlled areas and north-east Syria have been declining since April and February 2022, respectively. Limited testing and lack of transparency make it difficult to accurately track the virus’s spread. High-density residential areas and internally displaced persons camps (IPD) are front on to burdensome threat due to the lack of basic prevention equipment and hygiene measures. While only 58 out of 111 public hospitals are fully functioning and many healthcare workers have fled, the pandemic spreads among people and cases show a high increase. Based on available ICU beds with ventilators, Syria can adequately treat around 6,500 COVID-19 cases which is not close to the quarter of the total number of actual affected cases. Conclusions. Making it much more tough for the Syrian fragile health care system, the COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the general situation with more pressure and affected cases. The destruction of health facilities and the exodus of healthcare providers have left the remaining medical staff overburdened and psychologically stressed. The limited access to reliable information has hindered accurate tracking and documentation of the virus’s spread. The poor living situation in high-density residential areas and IDP camps have mainly led to the spread of the pandemic. Despite efforts by humanitarian organizations and international partners, support and supplies remain insufficient. The pandemic has also had a significant psychological impact on healthcare providers and exacerbated the economic crisis and social injustices in the region. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions to support healthcare providers’ mental well-being, collaboration and aid from international partners, and efforts to improve vaccine acceptance rates. Sustainable development goals can provide potential solutions for Syria’s recovery and resilience against future pandemics.