Ein Shaqaq Health Center closure sparked widespread dissatisfaction among residents

The Latakia Health Directorate has issued a decision to close the health center in the Ein Shaqaq area of Jabala's countryside, according to sources cited by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Meanwhile, local residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of this decision on healthcare services.

The Ein Shaqaq Health Center serves as the primary medical facility for over 20 villages in the largest rural area of Latakia Governorate, providing services to approximately 25,000 residents; children, chronic disease patients, and elderly individuals, who rely on it for medical examinations, treatments, vaccinations, first aid, and essential healthcare services.

Residents emphasized that the closure decision poses an unprecedented challenge for thousands of citizens, as dozens of villages will face severe health risks in the event of any emergency medical situation, especially since the area lies approximately 20 kilometers away from the nearest hospital or healthcare facility capable of providing necessary care.

Residents believe that delays in accessing medical services can put the lives of patients and injured individuals at risk, especially in critical cases requiring immediate intervention.

The closure of the center will further exacerbate the hardships faced by residents, as patients will be forced to travel long distances for medical treatment amid difficult economic conditions and rising transportation costs. Additionally, elderly individuals and those with chronic illnesses face significant difficulties in traveling and monitoring their health status.

Staff at the center emphasized that this decision not only deprives thousands of citizens of essential medical services but also represents a loss for a healthcare facility that has served the region for decades, with its teams having accumulated extensive expertise in addressing rural residents' medical needs and various emergency situations. They stressed that over years, the center has been the primary point of health security for dozens of surrounding villages.

In desperate attempts to find an alternative solution to the closure, civil society organizations in the Ein Shaqaq district have submitted a petition to the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities in order to revocate the closure order. They explained that the cited justification is that the current building is dilapidated and requires restoration and renovation work. The organizations confirmed their readiness to secure a replacement facility within the town to ensure continued provision of healthcare services and prevent residents from being deprived of these services, calling for practical and swift solutions rather than a complete shutdown of the facility.

Residents warned that continuing this decision would leave more than 25,000 citizens facing a severe healthcare shortage, urging the Ministry of Health to reverse its decision and take urgent measures to ensure medical services remain available for the local population, thereby preventing humanitarian consequences that could have devastating impacts on dozens of villages in Jablah countryside.