Cooperation protocol signed between health ministries of Türkiye and Syria

Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu met with his Syrian counterpart Musab Nizal al-Ali and his accompanying delegation at the Bilkent Campus of the Ministry of Health.

The two Ministers later signed the "Damascus Heart Hospital and Aleppo Oncology Hospital Operation Protocol".

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Memişoğlu stated that strong steps have been taken in the historical process that directly touches human life between Türkiye and Syria and opens the doors of brotherhood in health.

Emphasizing that health knows no boundaries, Memişoğlu said, "When it comes to people, geography is of no importance. No matter where, human life is valuable to us. In our belief and tradition, people come first. As Turkey, we are a civilization that prioritizes keeping people alive. Just as we acted with this understanding yesterday, we continue on our path with the same values ​​today."

Minister Memişoğlu emphasized that Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has established a very strong infrastructure in the field of health and has developed an exemplary model for the world, and said that sharing this knowledge with friendly and brotherly countries is a humanitarian and conscientious responsibility for them.

Pointing out that the "Damascus Heart Hospital and Aleppo Oncology Hospital Operation Protocol" signed between Turkey and Syria is a concrete indicator of the shared responsibility, spirit of solidarity and sincere cooperation in the field of health between the two countries, Memişoğlu noted the following:

"The planning and operation processes of the health facilities to be operated by us in Aleppo and Damascus will be shaped by Türkiye's experience. Turkey has started to take the necessary steps regarding urgent needs from the very first moment of the new process in Syria. In the last 6 months alone, we have held more than 10 important meetings and field visits at the technical and political level. Our delegations have examined hospitals, health directorates and biomedical infrastructure in Damascus, Aleppo and Latakia. We have been in close and constructive cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Health during this process. We have progressed with a common sense and solution-oriented approach in an environment of mutual trust."

Memişoğlu recalled that they met with Minister Musab Nizal al-Ali on the occasion of the World Health Assembly held in Geneva last month and said that they further strengthened this cooperation there.

Memişoğlu stated that Syrian Health Minister Musab Nizal al-Ali had the opportunity to see Türkiye's healthcare system firsthand by visiting Ankara Bilkent City Hospital and TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Research Center, and that they also made a comprehensive presentation to him about Türkiye's emergency healthcare services, city hospitals model and digital healthcare infrastructure.

Memişoğlu stated that Türkiye is ready to share all its knowledge, experience and opportunities in the field of health with the brother Syrian people and shared the following:

"With the visit of my esteemed colleague to our country, we are turning our long-standing work into concrete steps. The 'Damascus Heart Hospital and Aleppo Oncology Hospital Operation Protocol' signed today is only the beginning of this cooperation. We believe that these steps will turn into more comprehensive projects and more permanent results in time.

Health keeps people alive, people strengthen society, and strong societies lay the foundations of peace and brotherhood. As Turkey, with this understanding, we continue to grow and spread the human-centered health approach. I hope that this protocol we signed will bring health, peace and hope to our entire region, especially to the Syrian people. When it comes to human life, Turkey will continue to exist sincerely and stand by its brothers in every step we take together, without recognizing any boundaries."

Syrian Health Minister al-Ali also stated that today is historic and that the heart hospital in Damascus and the oncology hospital in Aleppo will be rehabilitated and operated within the scope of the agreement.

Stating that the agreement is for five years but can be extended if the parties approve, al-Ali said, "As Syria, we will benefit and take advantage of this agreement a lot. First of all, we will gain Türkiye's experience in this regard."

Al-Ali said that the hospital in Damascus will start operating in 90 days and the one in Aleppo in 180 days, and emphasized the importance of restoring health services in his country.

Referring to the good relations between Türkiye and Syria, al-Ali expressed his gratitude to the Turkish authorities.