Background of the program
The Residency Program Grant was launched on 1 July 2023, thanks to collaboration between the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOMS) and Mehad. Lasting 12 months and financed to the tune of USD 180,000 by Mehad’s own funds, this programme welcomed 17 resident doctors in various specialities, supervised by 17 supervising doctors in various training centres.
1) Interview with the project representatives, Osamah Alhousin, Program Manager, and Mr Samer Shbib, Administrator at the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOM)
Can you briefly explain the project and why Mehad decided to launch it?
The Residency Program Grant was launched on 1 July 2023, thanks to collaboration between the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOMS) and the NGO Mehad. The programme has integrated 17 resident doctors in various specialties, as well as 17 supervising doctors spread across different training centres where the residents have been placed. The grant also supported three administrative staff responsible for managing the programme’s administrative affairs. The project ran for 12 months, until 30 June 2024.
This programme was financed entirely by Mehad’s own funds, with a total budget of USD 180,000 for the duration of the project.
What are the main aims of this medical residency programme?
The main expected outcome of this project is to improve the quality of medical services provided in northern Syria, by enhancing the skills and expertise of resident doctors.
The project aims to support and empower resident doctors in training centres in the specialties covered by the grant, which are considered essential for improving the quality of medical services. This objective is achieved by ensuring the financial stability and psychological well-being of resident doctors.
Which medical specialities are covered by this programme and why were they chosen?
The specialities selected have been chosen according to the urgent and critical needs of the training centres, with an emphasis on those that are not currently supported by the organisations that fund the health sector. This approach aims to fill essential gaps and encourage doctors to pursue careers in these areas.
The specialties included are: Paediatric Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurosurgery, Dermatology, Ophthalmology and Eye Surgery, Emergency Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery.
How is this project helping to reduce the migration of healthcare professionals?
Providing adequate financial and academic support strengthens a doctor’s sense of belonging and commitment to their place of work (hospital/country), thereby reducing the need or desire to emigrate.
How do you assess the impact of the programme on hospitals and local communities?
The programme has directly contributed to improving the performance of the hospitals supported by providing them with resident medical staff working under the supervision of experienced specialists. This has led to an improvement in the quality of medical services and increased the hospitals’ capacity to receive patients.
The programme has also had a positive impact on local communities by providing high-quality specialist medical services that were often unavailable or difficult to access. This has helped to ease the burden on the population and improve overall public health indicators.
In addition, the programme has supported the health sector by providing new qualified medical professionals, helping to fill the gaps caused by the migration of specialist doctors due to the ongoing conflict in Syria.
In an effort to improve the quality of medical services provided in north-west Syria and to strengthen the efficiency and expertise of resident doctors, Mehad, in collaboration with SBOMS, is supporting a postgraduate medical residency programme for 17 doctors in various specialities in hospitals in northern Syria. This programme is run under the supervision of specialist doctors with more than 5 years’ experience and by expatriate doctors for a period of one year. In addition, the project aims to improve the knowledge of the targeted resident doctors through a series of medical conferences and training in medical research.
It is important to emphasise that this project goes beyond its impact on the medical sector. Not only is it helping to raise the quality of healthcare services and improve the skills of healthcare staff in north-west Syria, but it is also helping to address the shortage of healthcare providers by introducing resident doctors of various specialities to the northern regions of Syria. These doctors are destined to become specialists in the future after completing the requirements of the training programme facilitated by SBOMS.
This initiative plays a crucial role, both directly and indirectly, in mitigating the migration of medical staff in search of specialisation or employment elsewhere. It also contributes to the stability of the population and society in the region by bringing in doctors with rare and vital specialities in significant numbers.
2) Interview with a resident doctor, Dr. Mohammed Al-Yousef, Resident in Emergency Medicine
How did you hear about this residency programme?
I heard about this residency programme through the management of the SBOMS (Syrian Board of Medical Specialties).
Why did you decide to take part?
The combination of fair financial compensation, solid reputation and humanitarian services provided by Mehad in collaboration with the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties motivated me to be part of this initiative. In addition, the opportunity to follow an accredited and well-structured academic course under the guidance of a distinguished group of medical specialists further encouraged my involvement. Today, I feel I have the knowledge I need to help people even better and with even greater confidence.
What skills or knowledge have you acquired through the programme?
Many surgical skills and new procedures were taught to us by the supervising doctors, whether in the emergency department, hospital wards or operating theatres.
What does supervision by experienced specialists and expatriate doctors mean to you?
For me, this supervision represents a further progression in terms of the knowledge, expertise and skills I have acquired. It also contributes to an overall improvement in the healthcare landscape in our region.
Can you share a memorable experience you had during your residency?
Perhaps one of the most memorable experiences was the heartfelt prayers of the families of patients treated at the hospital. Equally significant were the success stories and the moments when we saved lives in the final critical moments.
How do you see your professional future after completing the programme?
On a personal level, I have been doing voluntary work while waiting to find another grant. However, I would like to express my gratitude to Mehad, SBOMS and the new Ministry of Health for recognising the certification granted by the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOMS).
What kind of impact do you think your presence has had on the hospital or community where you work?
My presence has improved the quality of care at the hospital, strengthening specialist services and increasing capacity. It has also had a positive impact on the community by providing access to essential healthcare and supporting public health outcomes.
What would you say to other young doctors who might be reluctant to join such a programme in Syria?
It’s really wonderful to be part of this remarkable system (Mehad and SBOMS), where the two work together to raise the quality of medical services provided to the people of my country, Syria.
