Unveiling the Tragic Impact: SAMS and PHR’s Reports Highlight Violence Against Syrian Healthcare Workers

The loss of life and injury resulting from attacks on healthcare facilities in Syria is a devastating impact that has left many medical staff dead. Reports by SAMS and Physicians for Human Rights reveal that between 2013 and 2021, SAMS documented 385 attacks on healthcare workers, resulting in the deaths of 152 individuals, with 61 of them being SAMS’ dedicated workers. Additionally, the Physicians for Human Rights study found that at least 948 medical professionals have been killed in Syria from 2011 through March 2023. These reports serve as a tribute to the brave healthcare workers who gave their lives to help others.

As part of its Humanitarian Footprints initiative, SAMS has produced this booklet to raise awareness about the violence against healthcare workers in the Syrian conflict. Within its pages, the stories of 11 health workers are chronicled, all of whom lost their lives while serving at SAMS-supported facilities in Syria. The booklet also includes visual testimonials from the families of eight healthcare workers who were killed, along with an analytical report documenting SAMS-recorded attacks on healthcare facilities.

The challenges faced by healthcare workers in the Syrian conflict are immense, and these reports highlight their ultimate sacrifice for those they served. Through this booklet and other initiatives like it, we can honor their memory and work towards bringing an end to the violence that continues to plague Syria today.