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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| 'We avoid funding Syrian hospitals in ISIS-held areas': Health Minister |
| 2015-02-22 |
| [ARA] The absence of security, the lack of relief aid and the displacement of millions of Syrians dispersed in the neighboring countries, were not only direct results of the four-year-old crisis. Poor health conditions and lack of medical supplies constitute major challenges for the concerned institutions. In an exclusive interview with ARA News, Dr. Wajih Jumaa, Minister of Health in the Syrian Interim Government, shed light on the work of various institutions and organizations inside Syria. Jumaa talked about the tasks assigned to the ministry, how to implement the projects within Syria and in the refugee camps in neighboring countries. Corrupt Vaccine In September, the ministry was accused of distributing expired vaccines to the medical centers in the Syrian northern province of Idlib, which caused the death of at least 15 children and raised the outrage of residents and activists against the opposition-linked government, demanding immediate resignation of the Health Minister. Dr. Jumaa denounced what has become known in local media as "Corrupt Vaccine Campaign", describing it as a "painful phase" in the modern history of the Syrians. He stressed that the vaccines were not corrupt, but a technical mistake was the reason behind the incident, justifying that the vaccine was dissolved with a substance which led to side effects. "The next vaccine will be subjected to strict monitoring," the minister said, promising the Syrians that such incidents will never be repeated. "We have established three Directorates of Health, which will train members to carry out the vaccination process," Jumaa told ARA News. "The ministry is suffering from severe shortage of trained staff." |
| Posted by:Fred |