​​​​​​​An American organization warns of the repercussions of closing Tal Kochar crossing on NES

Physicians for Human Rights, a non-profit organization based in New York, issued a report, in December 2021, on the health sector in north Syria. The report details health care in NES, as well as the lands occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries, including the mercenaries of Tahrir al-Sham, The research was conducted by Physicians for Human Rights in late 2021, according to American Al-Monitor website.

The report pointed out to the continuing effects of Syrian civil war on health care in north Syria. According to the report, Damascus government forces backed by Russia are seeking to retake Idlib province from Tahrir al-Sham backed by al-Qaeda. ISIS mercenaries also continue to attack Syrian Democratic Forces and Damascus government forces in eastern Syria. SDF also sometimes clash with the mercenaries of "Free" Syrian Army backed by Turkey.

Health problems in north Syria go beyond the immediate effects of the fighting. Although NES are safer than the areas occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries, but the report indicated that the areas of north and east Syria actually suffer from major problems with medical supplies, as United Nations closed Yaarubiya/Tal Kochar crossing between Iraq and north and east Syria in 2020 under Russian pressure.

While the aid does not reach through Bab al-Hawa crossing, occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries, to north and east Syria.

The transfer of aid to NES through the areas occupied by Turkey and its mercenaries poses "several challenges", according to a Syrian doctor who participated in writing the report.

Dr. Hossam al-Nahhas told Al-Monitor, "There are security concerns related to the transportation of supplies through different areas of control, with different armed groups controlling checkpoints, exposing this essential medical aid to the risk of kidnapping."

Nahas added that delivering aid to areas in the northeast is a "logistical challenge", and the delay in aid delivery raises the concern in particular for medicines that have to be stored at low temperatures, including coronavirus vaccines and insulin. Humanitarian groups also work primarily in camps for the displaced, which means that the people who are not displaced has few resources, according to the doctor.

Nahas also pointed out that "corruption" in the delivery of aid from areas of Damascus government leads to high costs.

Coronavirus is also a concern across Syria at the beginning of 2022. Syria as a whole has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world. However, the problem goes beyond providing vaccine doses.

And Nahas said "The fragmentation of health systems makes it difficult to track the number of cases comprehensively. The indifference of local communities towards Corona is exacerbating the situation."

On January 11, UN Security Council extended the mandate of Bab al-Hawa crossing for another six months, while Yaarubiya crossing will remain closed, according to Sharq al-Awsat newspaper.

Sh-S

ANHA