Exploring approaches for complementary private sector engagement in the health sector in Northern Syria

Northern Syria remains an extremely fragile setting with continuous challenges in the provision of humanitarian assistance including healthcare. An increase in unmet needs among communities is observed along with a decrease in funding and international support. This project answered a call from MEHAD [opens new tab] (formerly called UOSSM – Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations), a French/Syrian organization operating in Northern Syria, to explore more sustainable and long-term approaches to health service provision by engaging (or not) the private sector in the provision of health services. In the first phase between November 2021 and April 2022, researchers from Queen Margaret University, in collaboration with ReBUILD for Resilience and MIDMAR [opens new tab], explored the opportunities and barriers to an efficient provision of equitable quality services by engaging with the private sector.

The second part of the project, conducted between May and September 2022, aimed to assess service utilization among community members in Northern Syria across different health providers. It is generating evidence on the main sources of healthcare in the region and the interaction of communities with different sectors to address their health needs, and informing health actors in the area about best practices to serve communities during crisis and beyond. The project builds on growing collaborative work with UOSSM France and other partners in Northern Syria.

Outputs

• Read a research brief on this work: Exploring approaches for complementary private sector engagement in the health sector in Northern Syria
• This work was presented at Health Systems Research symposium 2022 – watch the video here
• A dissemination event for stakeholders was held in Gaziantep, Turkey in October 2022 – watch a summary of that session here
• This study featured in a synthesis presentation on Health System Resilience in Northern Syria: Reflections from ReBUILD for Resilience Projects – watch the video here.

Image: A doctor at an International Rescue Committee clinic in Ramtha, northern Jordan, conducts a check-up on a young Syrian refugee. DfID via Flickr [opens new tab]