Health assessment for the Syrian population after the war. Overview of the current health status, health problems, and the future of the health system in Syria

Table of Contents

Introduction

Aim of the research

Objectives

Research questions

Methods

Search strategy

Results of the search

Thematic analysis

Syrian health system before the war

Current health status for the population inside Syria

1- Under opposition control

2- Under governmental control

Health status for the Syrian refugees

1- Refugees in Turkey

2- Refugees in Lebanon

3- Refugees in Jordan

4- Refugees in Europe

5- Refugees in other countries

Public health indicators of the Syrian population

1- Mental health

2- Maternal and children health

3- Oral health

4- Non-communicable diseases

5- Infectious and communicable diseases

6- Occupational health and healthcare providers situation

7- Health system in Syria during COVID-19 pandemic

The future of the health system in Syria

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Research Objectives and Key Themes

This study aims to synthesize existing literature on the health status of the Syrian population—both internally displaced and refugees—to provide a comprehensive overview of the public health consequences of the decade-long war and identify potential strategies for systemic reconstruction.

• Impact of the Syrian war on health infrastructure and service delivery
• Mental health, maternal/child health, and communicable/non-communicable disease prevalence
• Healthcare challenges and disparities for refugees in host countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Europe)
• Strategic recommendations for rebuilding the Syrian health system, including informatics and human resource management

Excerpt from the Book

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: Outlines the humanitarian crisis in Syria since 2011, detailing the destruction of the health system and the vulnerability of internally displaced populations.

Aim of the research: Defines the review's goal to synthesize literature on the Syrian population's health status and provide a basis for future health system rebuilding.

Objectives: Lists primary goals, including summarizing health status, describing public health consequences, and suggesting reconstruction strategies.

Research questions: Formulates the core inquiries regarding current health status, access to services, and the impact of the crisis on health indicators.

Methods: Describes the systematic literature review process covering articles from 2012 to 2021 across five major databases.

Results of the search: Details the screening process that led to the inclusion of 207 relevant research articles categorized by health topics.

Thematic analysis: Provides an in-depth review of health systems before the war, inside Syria, and among refugees in host nations.

The future of the health system in Syria: Proposes five critical steps for rebuilding, emphasizing infrastructure, human resources, research, and informatics.

Conclusion: Summarizes the devastating impact of the war on health and underscores the urgent need for international collaboration to restore healthcare access.

Acknowledgments: Dedicates the research to the healthcare workers who lost their lives while serving in the conflict.

References: Lists the academic sources used to substantiate the literature review.

Keywords

Syrian War, Public Health, Health Infrastructure, Syrian Refugees, Humanitarian Crisis, Mental Health, Infectious Diseases, Non-communicable Diseases, Healthcare Workers, Health System Rebuilding, COVID-19, Maternal Health, Child Health, Health Informatics, Conflict-affected Populations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this literature review?

The paper examines the public health status of the Syrian population—both inside Syria and as refugees in host countries—following ten years of war.

What are the main thematic areas covered in the research?

The review covers mental health, maternal and child health, oral health, infectious and non-communicable diseases, and the specific challenges faced by healthcare workers during the conflict.

What is the ultimate goal of the research?

The goal is to summarize existing data to provide a clear overview of the current health landscape and propose actionable steps for rebuilding Syria’s damaged health system.

Which scientific methodology was employed?

The author conducted a systematic literature review using the modified Arksey and O'Malley framework, screening five major databases to identify 207 relevant peer-reviewed articles.

What does the main body of the work address?

It analyzes the health status of populations inside Syria (under opposition vs. governmental control), the health situation for refugees in various host countries, and public health indicators.

Which keywords characterize this work?

Key topics include the Syrian War, health infrastructure, humanitarian crisis, Syrian refugees, mental health, and health system reconstruction strategies.

How did the war impact the health status of children in Syria?

The report highlights significant issues including high rates of malnutrition, insufficient vaccination coverage, and a high prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections and dental caries.

What are the identified barriers for Syrian refugees in host countries?

Refugees face financial hardship, language barriers, limited access to specialized care, and administrative obstacles in navigating new health systems, particularly in nations like Lebanon and Turkey.

What specific strategies are proposed for the future of the Syrian health system?

The author suggests five major steps: repairing health infrastructure, increasing system capacity, improving human resources, supporting medical research, and developing a unified health informatics database.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Syrian health situation?

The pandemic further strained an already collapsed system, increasing the workload on remaining health workers, causing high levels of stress, and exacerbating the existing lack of surveillance and medical supplies.