Healthcare in conflict zones

In conflict zones, healthcare systems are often severely compromised due to years of bombing and attacks on health infrastructure, particularly hospitals. 

Whether in Syria, Ukraine, Palestine, or Yemen, numerous attacks on medical facilities have forced thousands of healthcare professionals to flee. In addition to the urgent needs created by conflict, it is essential to maintain and expand access to health services for affected populations. Beyond addressing injuries and war-related trauma, day-to-day healthcare has become vital for those who can no longer find nearby facilities to access essential services.

Primary healthcare, which encompasses but is not limited to general medicine, is often overlooked in emergency humanitarian responses. To address this gap, we are committed to providing free access to local, quality healthcare.

In Syria, Mehad operates nearly twenty primary healthcare centers, some of which are co-managed with local partners.

In Yemen, we support the Lawdar General Hospital, the only operational healthcare facility in the Abyan governorate, where no other NGO is present. This hospital provides a full range of services, including emergency care, outpatient consultations, maternity, and pediatrics.

Our primary healthcare centers serve as vital health hubs, offering a broad spectrum of medical services to diverse populations, including women, children, and the elderly. They are central to our humanitarian response in these regions.

These primary healthcare centers enable us to:

• Contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
• Provide high-quality general healthcare services.
• Expand healthcare options to meet the primary needs of the population.

These healthcare centers are vital landmarks for their communities. Despite operating with limited resources, they offer essential follow-up care for common illnesses and chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, all while maintaining a commitment to high-quality service.

Mobile Clinics

Armed conflicts in various regions have led to significant population movements, with millions of people becoming internally displaced. These individuals flee their homes in search of safety within their own countries. To address the healthcare needs of those in the most remote and inaccessible areas of conflict zones, we must find innovative solutions.

A mobile clinic typically includes:

• A team of at least three healthcare professionals: a general practitioner, a nurse, and a midwife.
• An average of 2.000 medical consultations per month.
• 99% of beneficiaries are internally displaced individuals.
• 70% of beneficiaries are women.

Mobile clinics can also be specialized, offering targeted services such as dental care, mental health support, and protection for vulnerable populations.

Community Health

Community health initiatives complement the primary care offered at our health centers and mobile clinics. Our community health workers visit families at home to conduct screenings and raise awareness. These visits facilitate large-scale preventive efforts, focusing on the prevention, monitoring, and referral of non-communicable diseases, chronic illnesses, nutrition, reproductive health, and daily practices that promote better health.

Maternity care

33.537 prenatal consultations

Recognizing that sustaining life through follow-up care for pregnant women is crucial in conflict contexts. Maternity services, including prenatal and postnatal care, are integrated into our health hubs at primary care centers. Consultations are conducted by a gynecologist or midwife, helping to mitigate risks for mothers and their babies. Additionally, malnutrition—exacerbated by crises—greatly affects pregnant and breastfeeding women. Their infants and children under five are particularly vulnerable, often suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition due to inadequate breastfeeding or lack of quality infant formula. Ensuring their care and follow-up is therefore of utmost importance.

Dental Care

12.500 patients per year in every dental clinic

Poor management of oral diseases can have serious repercussions for overall health, including cardiovascular, renal, ocular, and joint issues. Bacterial migration through the bloodstream poses significant risks of complications. We treat a range of dental conditions, including endodontics, restorative dentistry, periodontal disease related to bacterial infections, dental surgery, pediatric dentistry, and preventive oral care.