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Syria Expat Health Insurance

The Syrian Arab Republic is located in the Middle East and it shares borders with Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Israel. The Mediterranean Sea runs along Syria’s north western coastline, close to its borders with Turkey and Lebanon. Syria has an estimated population of 22 million people within a total land area of 185,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the region. Syria has a long and rich cultural history and its capital city, Damascus, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. 90 percent of the Syrian population is Muslim, a majority of which are Arabs. Society follows traditional values with strong emphasis placed on the wellbeing of family members, education and religion. The Syrian economy is based on agriculture, oil, industry and tourism and it is ranked as a middle income country. The government is actively looking to develop the tourism and services sectors to help reduce the economy’s dependence on agriculture and oil.

Syria Health Care and Insurance

The government through the Ministry of Health provides universal health care free of charge to Syrian citizens. The health care system in Syria is centered on the provision of primary health care services on three levels – village, district and provincial. Health centers and units provide health care services at village level. District level services are comprised of slightly larger health centers staffed by a small team of physicians and nurses. Provincial level services cater to urban populations and are available at health centers and hospitals. Specialist services require referral to one of the country’s major health facilities located in Damascus. Health facilities, particularly those in the large urban areas, are available for use by expatriates and travelers, although it should be noted that non-Syrian residents are expected to pay in cash for any treatment received. It is therefore advisable to purchase an international Syria health insurance policy.

With no national Syria health insurance scheme currently in operation, the government is struggling to make sufficient finance available to efficiently maintain the health care system. Financial assistance has been sought from the European Union and it is hoped additional hospitals can be built to help alleviate the burden on health facilities in Damascus and other large cities. The introduction of a national health insurance scheme has been proposed and although this has initially met with some public resistance, the majority of Syrians are aware that the current situation cannot continue and that citizens must contribute financially towards the modernization and development of the health care sector.

The private health sector in Syria is developing at a rapid pace and there are now in excess of 350 private health facilities, most of which are located in the cities of Damascus, Latakia and Aleppo. Private health facilities in the country’s large urban areas are well equipped and can offer a reasonable level of health care and treatment, however the standard of health care on offer would fall short of Western or international standards. Syria’s middle class are opting to use private health facilities more frequently as waiting times and the range of treatments available at public facilities cause concern. Private health facilities also ensure access to teams of experienced doctors who can typically speak French, English and Arabic and also provide a higher standard of care than that available at public health facilities.

Syria Travel Advice

With a large number of Iraqi refugees seeking assistance in Syria, the country’s population has grown considerably in recent years. This growth has placed added pressure on the delivery of public services, health care in particular. The government has been unable to develop health care facilities to cope with this increase in population and it is now estimated that public health facilities can only cater to 40 percent of the country’s 22 million residents. A struggling administration system, coupled with decreases in the annual amount of funding made available to health sector, have brought some public facilities close to breaking point. Overcrowding at certain hospitals and long waiting times for even the simplest of treatments has affected public confidence in the health system. Travelers and expatriates can avail of easy access to a range of treatments at one of the countries many private health facilities. Private health care costs are below what one would expect in a Western country although it is advisable to purchase an international Syria health insurance policy to protect against these medical charges.

Expatriates and travelers visiting Syria are advised to consult with a travel health specialist with vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Rabies advised. The routine vaccination should also be updated accordingly. Diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis and the West Nile virus are common to the region and are spread through insect bites. Using insect repellant can help reduce the risk of catching these diseases.

Since January 2011, Syria has been experiencing significant civil unrest. Ongoing protests against the rule of the Ba’ath Party and President Bashar Al-Assad have affected many parts of the country and these protests have been met with strong reaction from Syrian security forces. It is estimated that over 1,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands injured or displaced. There is an increased security presence in most major Syrian cities and numerous checkpoints and roadblocks have been setup to restrict travel between cities. Travelers and expatriates are advised to avoid large gatherings and protests as there is a risk that these situations will turn violent.

Syria Expat Health Insurance

Health facilities in Syria’s principal cities can offer a basic level of health care. Expatriates, tourists and non-nationals seeking treatment at one of Syria’s public or private health facilities must pay in cash before any treatment will be administered; therefore, it is advisable to purchase a Syria expat health insurance policy. Global Health International can assist you through the various products and policies available that offer you and your family sufficient protection. For more information on Syria expat health insurance plans, or for a free quote, please contact a Global Health International advisor today.