From Al-Hasakah to Damascus… The arduous journey to treatment
Yekiti Media
Patients from cities and towns in the Al-Hasakah Governorate in Syrian Kurdistan are forced to travel long distances to the capital Damascus in search of treatment, on a journey that is fraught with physical and psychological hardship and exorbitant costs that are beyond the means of many families. With no specialized centers in Al-Hasakah and hospitals in Damascus overwhelmed, the patient’s journey becomes doubly painful.
Mohammed Sheikho, a cancer patient who regularly visits Damascus, says: “The distance between Al-Hasakah and Damascus sometimes exceeds 900 kilometers, and the journey can take more than eight continuous hours. This is very exhausting for heart, kidney, and cancer patients, who need special care.”
He added, “Even transportation has become a huge burden; ticket prices are high, and sometimes we are forced to rent unequipped ambulances for exorbitant amounts.”
Khaled Youssef, who accompanies his sick son, describes another aspect of the crisis: “Government hospitals in Damascus provide free treatment, but the pressure of patients forces them to wait a long time, while the costs of private hospitals are unbearable. The prices of medicines and tests have also risen significantly, making it almost impossible to continue treatment at times.”
He added, “Accommodation costs make matters worse; renting a small apartment can cost over a million pounds a month, while hotels are either unsuitable or very expensive. Many families are forced to go into debt or sell their possessions to complete treatment and cover its costs.”
Dr. Samer Ibrahim, a chest disease specialist, explains that environmental factors in the region are increasing the number of patients: “Pollution from poor-quality fuel and generator use has contributed to the spread of chronic diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as a noticeable increase in cancer cases.”
He added, “With poor medical services and a shortage of equipment and medicines in Al-Hasakah, traveling to Damascus is the only option for undergoing thorough examinations or receiving chemotherapy and biological treatment.”
A health activist (who preferred to remain anonymous) points out that the lack of support from local authorities and humanitarian organizations has deepened the crisis: “ Hundreds of patients are forced to leave Al-Hasakah for Damascus every month, and many of them do not complete their treatment because of the costs, and some of them lose their lives as a result of the delay.”
He concluded by saying: “Improving the health situation in northeastern Syria is no longer a luxury, but a necessity to save the lives of thousands of patients and their families.”
The journey from Al-Hasakah to Damascus is not just a geographical transfer, but a daily battle with distance, costs, and mental and physical exhaustion. In the absence of adequate support, patients are left with two bitter choices: either give up specialized treatment or endure the hardship and high cost of travel.
