“The corona situation here is very bad” says a doctor in Damascus who remains anonymous for their safety. As hospitals overflow with COVID patients, the official number claimed by the Syrian regime & WHO is only 1432. Greatly at odds with the reported situation on the ground. 1/4 
“As a doctor if I speak up, I will get bullied by Assad’s supporters and I will get intimidated by security, but we can’t remain silent anymore, people are dying here. Cases of COVID-19 infections and deaths are increasing drastically in regime-held areas..." 2/4
"... but there is complete negligence and mismanagement from the Syrian authorities. People with symptoms are unable to seek medical care or get tested because hospitals are overwhelmed and unaffordable to many, especially with the deteriorating economy.” 3/4
“The hospitals don’t have the capacity to receive such a large number of cases. I can’t describe how bad it is.”
The global community and @UN agencies must urgently step up support to the health service in Syria. Doctors need more testing capacity, equipment, medicine & PPE 4/4
The global community and @UN agencies must urgently step up support to the health service in Syria. Doctors need more testing capacity, equipment, medicine & PPE 4/4
