One of our main public funders has abruptly announced the end of its support due to budgetary constraints. This unexpected decision means that three of our dialysis centres in north-eastern Syria are on the verge of closure.
These centres, located in Abu Hamam, Tabqa and Al-Kasrah, play a crucial role in providing almost 12,000 dialysis sessions a year to around 200 patients suffering from kidney failure. The suspension of these centres for even one month would mean the almost certain death of around 50 of them.
Dialysis is an essential element for those battling kidney failure, a disease that is already difficult to manage under normal circumstances. These dialysis centres are not simply medical facilities, but life refuges for our patients, offering hope and the possibility of a healthy life despite the challenges they face.
The situation is made all the more critical by the fact that only five dialysis centres are operational in this region, and our three threatened centres serve a population of around 305,000.
The closure of these centres not only means the loss of access to care for our current patients, but also for many others who depend on these vital facilities.