🇸🇾 Syria Healthcare Guide
Healthcare infrastructure across much of Syria has been severely disrupted, and the availability of functioning hospitals and medication supply varies significantly by region. Damascus and Latakia have some operational facilities, but many hospitals in other areas have been damaged or are operating at reduced capacity. Bringing a complete supply of all medications you take, along with basic first aid supplies and your medical summary saved in Arabic and accessible offline, means you can present a complete clinical picture at whichever facility is operational and reachable when you need it.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 110
- Healthcare system: limited
- Average GP visit: $45 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: high
Healthcare overview
Syria’s healthcare infrastructure has been devastated by over a decade of conflict. Damascus and Latakia retain some functioning hospitals, with private clinics in government-held areas providing basic to moderate care. Much of northern and eastern Syria has severely limited medical access. Aleppo’s healthcare is slowly rebuilding but remains constrained. Visitors should verify current conditions for their specific destination and have a clear medical evacuation plan.
Conflict-affected infrastructure
Healthcare availability depends entirely on the security situation in your specific area. Conditions change frequently; verify before travelling.
Damascus facilities
Damascus retains the most functional healthcare in Syria, with some private clinics and Al-Mouwasat Hospital providing moderate care.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Pharmacies in Damascus and Latakia carry some medications, but supply shortages are common and many standard drugs are intermittently unavailable. Prices and availability fluctuate. Carry your complete medication supply for the entire stay, including all basics. Do not rely on local purchase.
Supply shortages
Syria’s pharmaceutical supply chain is disrupted. Carry everything you need, including common items like antibiotics and pain relievers.
Tips for travellers
Specialist care within Syria is extremely limited. For any complex or chronic condition, have a clear plan for reaching Beirut (Lebanon), Amman (Jordan), or Ankara (Turkey), each of which offers stronger specialist capabilities. Having your treatment plan accessible in Arabic helps Syrian providers assess your situation and determine whether local management is feasible or cross-border transfer is needed.
Cross-border evacuation options
Beirut, Amman, and Ankara are the three main evacuation destinations, each accessible by different routes depending on your location in Syria.