Provision of Essential Basic Primary Health Care to Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Populations in Idlib and Aleppo

Doctors of the World, in partnership with the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), has been working to address the health needs of this population through a comprehensive program. The program aims to enhance access to quality and inclusive health care services, increase the resilience and well-being of the conflict-affected population, and improve health outcomes. Between October 2022 and March 2023, Doctors of the World provided quality and inclusive primary health care services to 38,722 unique conflict-affected individuals, with 57% (22,071) being female. The services included SRH and MH consultations, with a total of 71,813 PHC consultations, 9,937 SRH consultations, and 1,599 MH consultations. Additionally, 1,432 external referrals were provided to other providers, and 19,368 beneficiaries reached through health promotion and awareness-raising sessions. The program has made significant progress in addressing the health needs of the conflict-affected population. The overall performance of the program has been satisfactory, with 80% of beneficiaries reporting that their access to quality health services has been met by Doctors of the World, and 91% of health consultations assessed as 'good' or above. The program has also demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing circumstances, including the devastating earthquake that hit Türkiye in February 2023. The earthquake has had a significant impact on the health sector in northwest Syria, with 38 health facilities damaged, including hospitals and PHCCs. The program has been extended for 12 more months, and a top-up has been provided to address the increased needs of the population. The new project period is between 01.10.2022 and 30.09.2024. Human resources updates have also been made, with the appointment of a new Director of Programs and a new Syria Program Coordinator. However, the program has also experienced losses, with four members of the team losing their lives in the earthquake. The program has made significant progress in achieving its outcome indicators, with 41% of the overall project target reached in the first six months. The reported unique beneficiary across all consultations achieved a figure of 38,722, with 57% of beneficiaries being female and 43% being males. Children under 5-years old constituted 23% of all beneficiaries. The program's purpose is to enhance access to quality and inclusive health care services, increase the resilience and well-being of the conflict-affected population, and improve health outcomes. The outcome indicator is C01, which measures the percentage of individuals reporting that their access to quality health services has improved (significantly or partially). The program's progress in achieving this outcome indicator is a critical aspect of its overall success. In conclusion, the provision of essential basic primary health care to vulnerable conflict-affected populations in Idlib and Aleppo is a critical priority. Doctors of the World's program has made significant progress in addressing the health needs of this population, and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances has been demonstrated. The program's progress in achieving its outcome indicators is a critical aspect of its overall success, and its continued support is essential to addressing the health needs of this vulnerable population.