When 72-year-old Ali Ibrahim from rural Tartous was told he urgently needed heart surgery, he feared the worst. Private care was far beyond his means, and travelling long distances was not an option. But at Tartous National Hospital, strengthened with new medical equipment, Ali received the care he needed, care he believes saved his life.

“At first, I was afraid,” he says. “But the hospital took care of everything. The doctors checked on me constantly, gave me my medications, and never let me feel alone. Without this care, I don’t know if I would still be alive.”

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For many families in Tartous and surrounding rural areas, access to essential medical services is often a race against time.

Over the past decade, Syria’s health system has withstood immense pressure: equipment has aged, patient needs have grown, and medical teams continue to work through challenging conditions.

With support from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), WHO has delivered a package of essential medical equipment to Tartous National Hospital, including a modern operating table, an advanced anesthesia machine, a portable ultrasound device, and a hemodialysis machine. Together, these tools strengthen diagnostics, treatment, and surgical care for thousands of patients each year.

“We perform between 50 and 70 surgeries every day,” says Dr. Ali Hussein, Head of the Anesthesia Unit. “Our older machines have served for many years but no longer met current safety standards. This new anesthesia machine has improved stability during operations and most importantly enhanced patient safety. It has made a big difference.”

In the cardiac surgery unit, Dr. Mohammad Ali Ali, Head of the Cardiac Department, adds: “The new equipment from KSrelief has expanded our capacity and improved the quality of care. It has allowed us to replace outdated devices, strengthen emergency readiness, and provide life-saving treatment to more patients when every minute counts.”

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WHO, together with KSrelief and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, remains committed to supporting health services across Syria, helping ensure every patient can access timely, safe, and effective care close to home.