Emirati-Syrian Emergency Readiness Programme To Train 10,000 Syrian Healthcare Workers For Disasters

The Emirati-Syrian Readiness programme has been launched in Damascus to strengthen Syria’s ability to deal with medical emergencies and disasters. Over five years, the initiative plans to train and qualify 10,000 frontline healthcare workers using an internationally accredited curriculum and shared expertise between Syrian, Emirati, American, and European institutions.

The launch event included a press conference where a strategic memorandum of understanding was signed between the Syrian Ministry of Health and the Readiness Academy. The agreement outlines joint work to develop hospital readiness, organise specialised training, and support the broader national healthcare system in Syria through structured emergency response education.

Syrian Minister of Health, Musab Al-Ali, stated that the Syrian Readiness Programme is designed to activate cooperation between health institutions, attract international experts, and support initiatives that develop the sector. The plan focuses on investing in human capital, qualifying certified trainers, and following a five-year operational framework based on global standards for emergency medicine.

Musab Al-Ali explained that hospital preparedness is a central pillar of the Emirati-Syrian Readiness programme, alongside training national trainers and applying advanced simulation technologies. These tools will be used to rehearse different emergency and disaster scenarios, with the aim of improving critical response times and ensuring medical teams can act quickly and effectively during crises affecting the Syrian population.

Dr. Adel Al-Shamry Al-Ajami, CEO of the Zayed Giving Initiative, Chairman of the Emirates Doctors, and Head of the Emirates National Readiness & Response Programme-Jaheziya, said the Syria Readiness Programme intends to build national preparedness, standardise response procedures, and improve hospital and ambulance performance. Target groups include staff from public and private hospitals, ambulance personnel, national defence teams, and other first responders.

Dr. Adel Al-Shamry Al-Ajami noted that the UAE Medical Preparedness and Response Programme previously developed a unified and specialised training system. This system has enhanced the skills and readiness of more than 20,000 frontline healthcare workers in UAE hospitals, helping improve hospital response to emergencies. The Readiness Programme now aims to share this Emirati experience with partner countries, including Syria, with a focus on developing human resources.

Dr. Iyad Baath, Director-General of the Syrian Board of Medical Specialties, highlighted that the Emirati-Syrian Readiness programme follows a modern scientific approach based on internationally recognised standards. The goal is sustainable capacity building, starting with a three-month pilot phase that will train 200 healthcare professionals, before the wider roll-out to reach the planned 10,000 trainees over the full five-year period.

According to Dr. Iyad Baath, a joint committee has been formed with representatives from the Syrian Ministry of Health and the National Training Academy. This body will supervise the management and implementation of the Emirati-Syrian Medical Readiness Programme – Syria Readiness – and support Syrian medical cadres in maintaining training, and raising the readiness of hospitals, ambulance services, and field medical teams across the country.

With inputs from WAM