Needs assessment in Ar-Raqqa to address health crisis

It is a critical time in Northeast Syria which is facing rising cases of diseases such as leishmaniasis, an endemic neglected tropical disease, alongside reduced healthcare services and resources because of funding cuts.

A MENTOR team recently carried out an assessment in Ar-Raqqa Governorate to evaluate the situation and better understand the needs. The visit with the Directorate of Health focussed on the Leishmaniasis Centre in Ar-Raqqa Polyclinic, which has a vital role in providing treatment, supervision, and support to communities across the region.

Initial findings identified the centre urgently needs support to improve its structure, the supply of essential commodities and medicines, and technical capacity.

“The surrounding area depends heavily on the centre’s services, making its function critical to the broader public health response. Following funding constraints, a significant gap has emerged in addressing vector-borne diseases. This visit marks an important step towards renewed engagement and the opportunity to make a difference to people affected by protracted conflict.” – Mohamad Agha Alkalaa, MENTOR Programme Director.

Read more about the burden of leishmaniasis in Syria and the call for action by ESCMID – European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases journal: