Syria faces severe shortage of cancer medications, official urges international aid

​​​​​​​By Ahmet Karaahmet, Mahmut Nabi and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Syria is facing a severe shortage of cancer and tumor medications, according to the head of Planning and International Cooperation at the Health Ministry, as he urged the international community to assist.

Zuhair Qarout emphasized at a news conference in Damascus the catastrophic effect of the medication shortage on thousands of patients and their families across Syria.

He described the shortage as a true public health and humanitarian crisis affecting some of the most vulnerable and fragile groups in society.

Qarout urged the UN, World Health Organization, UNICEF, EU humanitarian aid agencies, and friendly and brotherly countries, as well as international NGOs, to provide necessary pharmaceutical support so Syria can continue to treat cancer patients.

He stressed the urgent need to ease international restrictions to remove barriers hindering the import of medications.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January.