Damascus - With funding from the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank, the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to rehabilitate priority public hospitals and restore access to essential secondary health-care services in Syria. 

Health Minister H.E. Dr Musab al-Ali highlighted that the agreement is part of the Ministry’s strategic plan to rehabilitate damaged health infrastructure, noting that it will help facilitate citizens’ access to health services in their areas. “Joint engineering teams from UNDP and the Ministry have conducted field visits to the targeted health facilities, and tender documents and technical specifications are currently being prepared ahead of launching the projects for qualified specialized companies, with the aim of delivering high-quality implementation in the shortest possible time”, He added.

The Government of Germany’s EUR 30 million contribution will support a 36-month project to restore the operational readiness of five public referral hospitals in Hama, Homs, Idleb, Dara’a, and Deir-ez-Zor, where services have been severely disrupted by years of conflict. Upon completion, the rehabilitated hospitals are expected to serve approximately 895,000 people and restore a combined capacity of about 520 hospital beds. 

Annette Chammas, Head of the Middle East Division at the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development said: “Our long-term commitment to the health sector in Syria underscores our dedication to improving the living conditions of all Syrians. Equitable access to health services plays a critical role in the country’s sustainable and inclusive recovery. With 30 million EUR in funding, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), together with UNDP, aims to strengthen Syria’s health system through the rehabilitation of hospitals and primary health care centres, essential institutions in addressing the urgent needs of over 15.9 million people requiring health assistance. We deeply value our collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Syria, which works tirelessly on ensuring access to health care services in underserved communities.” 

With Germany’s support, the project will restore hospitals as safe, functional, and sustainable public institutions. UNDP will work closely with the Ministry of Health, local authorities and health sector stakeholders to rehabilitate hospital buildings and internal networks, restore electricity, water, and sanitation systems, strengthen medical waste management, introduce backup and renewable energy solutions, equip key departments with essential medical furniture and equipment, and prepare hospitals for digital transformation. A strong focus on operations and maintenance will help ensure services remain functional beyond the rehabilitation phase.

Implementation will occur in phases, allowing services to be restored progressively while minimising disruption to ongoing care. The project is expected to ease pressure on central hospitals and reduce the financial and social burden on families who currently travel long distances to access treatment.

UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Dr Mohammed Siddig Mudawi, highlighted that Germany’s continued support sends a strong message of confidence in Syria’s recovery “Thanks to Germany, who is our largest partner in Syria, this contribution, will restore services that save lives every day, strengthen national health systems, and support sustainable and inclusive recovery. We remain grateful to Germany’s continued trust and support to UNDP and the Syrian people,” he added. “We thank the International Cooperation - MOFA, the Ministry of Health and local health institutions for their leadership and close partnership in aligning this support with national priorities and on-the-ground needs”.

The five targeted hospitals were selected based on national health-sector priorities, population coverage, level of damage, and the lack of alternative facilities. They are critical providers of emergency and trauma care, surgery, intensive care, maternal and neonatal services, and treatment for chronic diseases. Disruptions to these services have had direct, life-threatening consequences. Restoring hospital functionality is therefore essential to reducing preventable deaths, easing pressure on overstretched central hospitals, and improving health outcomes through safer, higher-quality and more equitable access to care, particularly for women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities.

In parallel to the hospital rehabilitation supported under this MoU, the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank, is also providing EUR 26.5 million through the SIGA grant to support the rehabilitation of 25 primary health care centres (PHCs) across Syria. This contribution will restore essential primary health services and provide renewable energy solutions to ensure continuity of care in underserved communities.

It is worth noting that Syria’s hospital system remains under severe strain. More than 15.9 million people require urgent health assistance, and over 40 per cent of health facilities are partially or fully non-functional. According to the World Bank, Syria has only 1.4 hospital beds per 1,000 people, well below the global average of 3 to 5 beds. Restoring hospital capacity is therefore among the most urgent and high-impact investments for health system recovery.

Media contacts: 

Dania Darwish | Communications Specialist | UNDP Syria Country Office | dania.darwish@undp.org| syria.parc@undp.org