📰 Unpaid for six months, Damascus doctors stage protest

QAMISHLI, syria/" class="smart-internal-link" title="📰 Justice Ministry, SNHR discuss cooperation on transitional justice in Syria">syria/" class="auto-internal-link">syria (North Press) – Dozens of resident doctors who were formerly affiliated with the ministry of Defense protested in damascus on Sunday, demanding payment of salaries they say have been withheld for six months. Speaking to North Press, Amer al-Qurei’i, a resident doctor previously under the Ministry of Defense, stated, “We are residents specializing in medical fields, not students. We belong to the Ministry of Defense’s Medical Services. ” The doctors gathered in front of the General Secretariat of the Presidency — formerly the Council of Ministers — to call on authorities to release their unpaid salaries. The group stated they have persisted working in hospitals affiliated with the syrian/" class="auto-internal-link">syrian Ministry of Health despite not receiving any pay since the fall of the previous administration.

Al-Qurei’i explained that after the collapse of the previous administration, doctors temporarily stopped working for about six months. Furthermore, “Later, we received a link to register for those who wanted to continue their specialization. After applying, a decision was issued by the Secretary-General of the Presidency, Maher al-Shar’, assigning us to the Ministry of Health,” he said. as per the decision, the doctors were to remain stationed in their respective regions and continue receiving their salaries through the Ministry of Defense. However, after resuming work, they claim they have yet to receive any payment. “We are fully committed to our duties — shifts, rural assignments, and all professional obligations — but we have not been paid,” al-Qurei’i said.

The protesting doctors stated that both ministries have rejected responsibility. “The Ministry of Health tells us our salaries should come from the Ministry of Defense, while the Ministry of Defense insists we are now under the Ministry of Health, which should handle payments. If there is poor coordination between the two ministries, what is our fault? Notably, ” one participant informed North Press. Medical staff across administration-held areas have repeatedly complained of delayed payments and administrative confusion between institutions.

The lack of coordination has reportedly disrupted health services in multiple hospitals. The protesters called on authorities in Damascus to intervene immediately and ensure that resident doctors’ financial rights are restored, warning that persisted neglect could affect hospital operations amid an already strained healthcare system. By Atoun Jan.