ReliefWeb

March 6th, 2021 ― Doha: With funding from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is implementing a project to build the capacity of health workers in northern Syria, under the QUEST Health 2020 initiative.

Recently, examinations were held at the Academy of Health Sciences in northern Syria, upon the completion of a training program to build the capacity of local medical professionals, to be qualified to provide specialized health care services for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.

The project involves several components to support the health sector in the region with qualified medical professionals, as follows:

1. To educate new students in three medical specialties: nursing, emergency, and physiotherapy. Currently, there are 130 students at the academy (including 59 students in the 1st year and 71 in the 2nd year).

2. To train 20 graduate physicians under the medical residency program, in cooperation with the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties (SBOMS) in northern Syria. Hosted by eight university hospitals and training centers, the training covers 12 medical specialties: gynecology, pediatrics, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), ophthalmology, cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, urology, internal medicine, anesthesiology, and ENT.

In addition, there are 40 trainers and supervisors to mentor 20 physicians under residency programs, to be covered by the project for two years.

About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS)

Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.
QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.