The president of the Friends of Cancer Patients association in As-Suwayda, Adnan Maqlid, mentioned that the number of cancer cases in the province is increasing by 600 to 700 cases annually per 100,000 citizens.

The official Tishreen newspaper reported on Friday, August 23, that the number of cancer patients in the province exceeds 7500, with 3500 of them receiving free treatment in the hematology and solid tumors department at the National Hospital of As-Suwayda, and about 50 patients visit the department regularly.

3000 patients receive treatment in al-Biruni and al-Mouwasat hospitals in Damascus, at the expense of the Cancer Patients Association in As-Suwayda.

According to Maqlid, the cost of treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on the type of tumor and the stage of the disease, but the cost of one chemotherapy dose ranges between half a million and 20 million Syrian pounds, which the patient receives for free (the dollar equals 14,800 Syrian pounds).

According to Maqlid, the association spent about 900 million Syrian pounds from the beginning of the year until last June, benefiting 2350 patients (radiographic images and doses), with the possibility that the number of cancer patients visiting the association’s headquarters by the end of the year could reach about 5000 patients seeking treatment.

Breast cancer, digestive system cancer, cervical cancer, and thyroid cancer are the most common types among women, while lung cancer, digestive system cancer, and prostate cancer are the most common among men.

The healthcare sector is suffering

The basic health services infrastructure in Syria, such as hospitals and health centers, requires maintenance and rehabilitation, according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which documented the health sector crisis in Syria in 2022.

The report stated that the healthcare sector is suffering from a crisis, with a large percentage of the centers either out of service or partially out of service. The number of people in need of healthcare has reached 15 million, in addition to 6.9 million internally displaced persons inside Syria.

In 2022, the number of hospitals reached 113 throughout Syria, 26% of which operate partially and 27% are out of service. Among the 1789 health centers, 21% operate partially and 32% are completely out of service.

The report explained that these gaps can only be addressed through long-term investment.

There is a chronic shortage of healthcare staff due to displacement, attacks, and low salaries.

Estimates indicate that up to 50% of the healthcare workforce has left Syria, according to the report.