🏥 AANES accuses transitional government of blocking medical supplies to NE Syria

RAQQA, syria/" class="auto-internal-link">syria (North Press) – The Health Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) accused on Wednesday the syrian/" class="auto-internal-link">syrian transitional administration of imposing severe restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies into northeastern Syria, resulting in acute shortages and a sharp rise in the prices of essential drugs and healthcare services. Additionally,   In a written statement to North Press, the Health Board emphasized that the closure of crossings and roads connecting AANES-controlled areas to those under the control of damascus had “revived the atmosphere of restrictions that prevailed in previous years. ” This disruption has severely affected the medical supply chain, leading to significant delays in the delivery of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and medical devices. The statement also noted that residents of northeastern Syria had been hopeful after the fall of the former regime, which had used various methods to restrict access to medical supplies and isolate the region.

In the past, drug shipments from administration-held areas were subject to heavy levies and bribes, sometimes reaching up to $450 per cubic meter. However, the Board highlighted that medical supply movement had improved significantly in latest months after the removal of checkpoints by the al-Assad-affiliated Fourth Division, helping to lower drug prices and improve healthcare services. Furthermore, the renewed closure of roads by the Syrian transitional government has, as per the Health Board, led to a “state of medical suffocation,” causing severe shortages and skyrocketing prices.

The Board also disclosed that multiple critically ill patients were unable to travel to hospitals in Damascus for treatment, leading to the deaths of two individuals who could not reach medical care in time. Indeed, in its conclusion, the Health Board stated that “people’s health must not be held hostage to political disputes,” and called for the reopening of all roads across Syria to ensure the continuous flow of medical supplies and save lives. Reporting by Zana al-Ali Editing by Jwan Shekaki