Health Authority of North and East Syria opens dialysis center in Zalin (Qamishli)

ZALIN, Syria — As part of the efforts of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria to improve the number and quality of services, the Health Authority opened a dialysis center in the neighborhood of Alaya of Zalin (Qamishli).

The DAA has steadily established medical centers across North and East Syria after decades of neglect by the Syrian regime which forced people to travel hospitals in Daramsuq (Damascus) and Holeb (Aleppo).

Talaat Younis, Co-Chair of the Executive Council of Gozarto (Jazira) Region, told SuroyoTV that the number of patients with kidney disease is increasing, so it was necessary to develop a plan to provide health services, especially dialysis centers.

Younis added that the city of Zalin lacked the presence of some devices in the National Hospital controlled by the Syrian regime and some patients were having difficulty accessing the hospitals under the control of the Syrian regime in the city due to security checkpoints.

The opening of the center will hopefully alleviate this gap in health services, said Younis.

Dr. Yasser Ahmed, medical officer at the Dialysis Center, stated that the project was implemented three months ago with the center all but ready to open but because of the difficult import devices from abroad and delayed the opening. Now, said Dr. Ahmed, the center is equipped with modern equipment and trained technicians.

The center offers free treatment and services, in addition to some high-priced medicines provided by the center at a lower cost. There are currently six dialysis machines, five of them are dedicated to regular sessions and one for emergency cases. An expansion of the center is being planned.