Post-War Syria Faces Public Health Crisis as TB and Cholera Resurge
Post-War Syria Faces Public Health Crisis as TB and Cholera Resurge
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Syria is experiencing a sharp rise in preventable diseases, including tuberculosis and cholera, amid the collapse of its healthcare infrastructure in the wake of Bashar Assad’s ouster, Arab News reported. Fourteen years of conflict have left hospitals damaged, surveillance systems fragmented, and millions displaced—conditions now fueling the resurgence of major public health threats.
A recent study published in Science Direct highlights the alarming spread of tuberculosis, with over 2,500 cases—47 of them drug-resistant—reported in northwest Syria between 2019 and 2025, according to the World Health Organization. In northeast Syria, TB programs fell apart after the 2022 Daesh attack on Hasakah prison. Researchers warn that previous regime-era statistics vastly underreported the true burden of disease, especially in areas outside state control.
Efforts to rebuild the national health surveillance system are underway, as two previously separate monitoring networks—EWARS and EWARN—begin a complex process of integration. Experts say this is a critical step in rebuilding reliable disease tracking, but they warn that limited staff, damaged facilities, and ongoing instability pose serious challenges.
Cholera has also re-emerged as a major threat.
From August to December 2024, the WHO recorded 1,444 suspected cases and seven deaths, particularly in displacement camps and underserved regions. The resurgence is tied to unsafe water sources, deteriorating sanitation systems, and worsening drought conditions. A 2023 Mercy Corps report found rainfall had dropped 28% nationwide, depleting groundwater reserves and compromising water access.
Syria’s already fragile healthcare system remains under immense pressure. As of March 2025, only 57% of hospitals and 37% of primary health centers are fully functional. Over 70% of health professionals have left the country, and aid groups warn that nearly 250 medical facilities in northern Syria may soon close due to funding shortfalls.
NGOs such as MedGlobal are providing emergency services, including disease screening, treatment, and water sanitation support. However, they emphasize that long-term recovery depends on restoring infrastructure and sustainable health governance. Electricity outages, supply chain delays, and persistent insecurity further hinder response efforts.
Experts caution that without urgent international support and coordination, Syria risks prolonged outbreaks and deepening health inequities. The success of the country’s post-conflict recovery, they argue, hinges on whether its shattered health system can be rebuilt to meet rising needs.
