The 2024 annual conference on health in Syria in times of conflict, jointly organised by Mehad, Conflict and Civisness Research Group at London School of Economics LSE, King College London, Syria Public Health Network, UOSSM, Syria Research Group at London of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) brought together a wide range of humanitarian and academic actors to explore health challenges and progress in Syria’s conflict regions.
The conference was held on 16 May 2024 at King’s College London to promote evidence-based initiatives and provide a platform for local researchers, with the main aim of highlighting concerted efforts to improve the health situation in Syria’s conflict zones.
Here is a summary of the main sessions and presentations:
Session 1: Healthcare systems and governance
– Dr Ibrahim Bou-Orm of Rebuild/QMU discussed the resilience of the healthcare system in northern Syria, highlighting the main challenges, including task shifting of healthcare staff, coordination of needs and lack of funding.
– Mohamed Hamze from SAMS presented the links between armed conflict and paediatric consultations, highlighting an increase in malnutrition and mental health disorders.
– Mr Mohamed Alaa Ahmado from Mehad stressed the importance of hygiene awareness and monitoring in controlling infections in conflict areas.
Session 2: Health systems and governance
– Ayla Alkharrat from Mentor Initiative and LES discussed humanitarian aid in the context of the prolonged conflict in Syria, highlighting the politicisation of aid and its impact on access to primary healthcare.
– Dr Zedoun AlZoubi from R4HSSS- UOSSM International focused on health responses to natural disasters in conflict zones, highlighting the importance of local civil participation.
– Dr Bushra Al Ameed from SAMS examined the perception of women with breast cancer in north-west Syria, suggesting improvements in local oncology care and non-patriarchal communication.
Session 3: Mental health and psychosocial support
– Dr Jabraeil Kanan from the University of Porto analysed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in young Syrians exposed to conflict, highlighting the importance of psychosocial support.
– Mr Muhammed Edib Mokresh from the University of Health Sciences highlighted the urgent need for targeted mental health awareness campaigns, particularly among women in north-west Syria.
– Diana Raves of Johns Hopkins University studied the consequences of the attacks on the healthcare system in Syria, highlighting their devastating impact on all aspects.
– Thuravva Zreik of GCRF examined the dynamics of humanitarian coordination working groups, stressing the importance of giving beneficiaries a voice in order to respond effectively to their needs.
Panel: How is health research on Syria relevant to other contexts?
Moderated by Dr Munzwr Alkhalil (LSE/EX IHD/UOSSM), this discussion involved experts such as Dr Tammam Aloudat (MSF) and Ms Louise McGrath (THET), discussing the application of Syrian research findings to other conflict contexts.
The conference provided an opportunity to share crucial findings and strengthen links between researchers and practitioners. It highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling health challenges in conflict zones, emphasising the need to integrate local perspectives.
Mehad’s participation demonstrates our commitment to research in complex contexts such as Syria in conflict, illustrating our desire to contribute to improving health in these areas while collaborating with other humanitarian and academic actors.
