HEALTH SECTOR BULLETIN COVID-19 Awareness Session – Photo by UNHCR JUNE 2020

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC Emergency type: Level 3 Emergency Reporting period: 01-06-2020 to 30-06-2020

11.4 M 12 M Targeted with Health 3.4 M 443.2 M 146,200 PIN of Health Assistance Interventions IDPs Funds required Returnees

HIGHLIGHTS HEALTH SECTOR 61 HEALTH SECTOR PARTNERS  As of 30 June 2020, the Ministry of Health reported COVID-19 cases in has reached 279, including nine deaths*. The first confirmed case was declared on 22 KITS DELIVERED TO HEALTH FACILITIES/PARTNERS March and first death on 29 March. 16 IEHK BASIC & SUPPLEMENTARY KITS

4 TRAUMA A & B KITS  Brussels meeting was held on 30 June. 4 NCD KITS

 HRP 2020 health sector requirement is US$ 443.2 M and is 52 FIRST AID KITS

only 10% (46.4 M) funded so far. The COVID-19 SUPPORTED MOBILE HEALTH UNITS requirement is US$ 74 Million and is only 35% funded.

120 MOBILE HEALTH UNITS  Syrian Humanitarian Fund Reserve Allocation was finalised and more than US$ 14 million allocated to 13 health HEALTH ACTION partners including UN agencies, national and international 759,802 MEDICAL PROCEDURES non-governmental organizations. 262,015 TREATMENT COURSES  Online COVID-19 Supplies Tracking System shows more Number of deliveries attended by than 4 million PPEs distributed to various stakeholders to 17,659 skilledTRAUMA attendant CASES Number of deliveries protect health workers. attended by skilled attendant VACCINATION

 The medical procedures, treatment courses and 28,922 PENTA 3 vaccination coverage dropped in June EWARS

1,272 REPORTING SITES * Currently there are 608 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 35 associated deaths as of 24 July, 2020 FUNDING $US

443.2 M REQUESTED -ONLY (10 % FUNDED)

is 104%.

PAGE 1

Situation update As the Syria crisis enters its tenth year, the scale, severity and complexity of humanitarian needs remain extensive. This is the result of continued hostilities in localized areas, new and protracted displacement, spontaneous returns and the sustained erosion of communities’ resilience during more than nine years of crisis. Syria is still one of the biggest and most complex crises globally. The Syrian crisis created more than six million refugees and displaced a further 6 million Syrians inside their own country. Health needs in Syria are already significant. Thousands of children are suffering from severe malnutrition. Thousands of more people suffer from cancer, diabetes, and other chronic conditions for which treatment is limited. 50% of hospitals were reported fully functioning, 25% hospitals were reported partially functioning (i.e., shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage of the building in some cases), while 25% were reported non-functioning. 47% of public health centres were reported fully functioning, 22% partially functioning, and 31% non-functioning (completely out of service). More than 12 million people (out of the total estimated population of 20 million) are in need of health care services in 2020. 70 % of the sub-districts (188 out of 268) have most severe health needs and severity score of 3 and above. COVID-19 has aggravated the situation further. In June, health authorities announced 157 confirmed cases, as compared to 79 confirmed cases reported in May 2020. All indicators point out that the disease is spreading rapidly across the communities in the country. The aid agencies continue to ramp up efforts to suppress the transmission of the virus through risk communication and community engagement; procurement and distribution of medical supplies and equipment; by supporting COVID-19 clinical readiness; and safeguarding the public health care system.

SHF-Reserve Allocation for COVID-19 Readiness and Response

The SHF-Reserve Allocation for COVID-19 Readiness and Response was finalised. More than US$ 14 million was allocated to WHO, UNICEF, UNDP UNWRA, UNFPA, AKHS (The Aga Khan Foundation), Al- Bir Wa Al-Ehsan in Ras AlAin, ALTAMAYOZ social care, Al Birr Association (Al Birr Charity and social services association), Al Birr Association Charitable and Sociable Services Organization in Al , DORCAS (STICHTING DORCAS AID INTERNATIONAL), INTERSOS, SARC for COVID 19 readiness and response for six months.

Public health risks, priorities, needs and gaps The ongoing conflict, violence and displacement have grave public health consequences with increased morbidities, mortalities and disabilities among affected and vulnerable population. The most affected are children, women and elderly people.

PAGE 2

Despite challenges, Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners continue to assist people in need where access is possible with focus on collective shelters and IDP camps delivering essential health services.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was declared on 22 March. As of 30 June2020, the number of reported cases in Syria has reached 279, including 9 deaths and 105 recoveries. The areas of concern are densely populated areas, notably /Rural Damascus, and , and those living in camps, and informal settlements in northeast Syria (NES), collective shelters throughout the country, as well as other areas including Deir-Ez-Zor, and where hostilities may be ongoing making sample collection more challenging.

The populations of concern are all groups are susceptible to the virus. However, the elderly (those 60 years and above) and people with underlying health conditions are particularly at risk; as are vulnerable refugee and IDP populations and healthcare workers with inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

COVID-19 testing is taking place at laboratories in Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Lattakia governorates.

The enhancement of laboratory and case investigation capacity across Syria remains a priority, as does the timely communication of all information relevant to the safeguarding of public health. The UN has pledged its support to assist the MoH achieve its stated goal to have testing capacity in all 14 governorates.

EWARS and epidemiological updates at national level (week 23, 2020-week 26,2020) Surveillance performance:

 A total of 1158 out of 1272 active reporting sites (91.03%) in all 14 reported through early warning alert and response system (EWARS) with 90.7 % of timeliness.  Total number of consultations was 997,045. Significantly increased by 61.7% than the previous month. in May was 616,441.  Out of the 997,045 total consultations, a total of 105,407 EWARS notifiable cases were reported.

Morbidity: The leading causes of morbidity among all age groups were influenza-like illnesses, and acute diarrhoea (Figure 1). The breakdown was as follows:

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): 48,881, accounting for 46.4% of total cases. Most cases reported from Aleppo, Tartous and Rural Damascus (Figure 2). The average number of ILI case per week was 12,220.  Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI): 911 case were reported, which increased by 43.9% compared to the reporting number of SARI during the previous month (633) (Figure 1). The average of weekly number of reporting was 228.  Acute diarrhoea (AD): 38,956 (37.0 % of total cases), most reported from Aleppo, Idleb, and Al- Hasakeh.

PAGE 3

 Acute jaundice syndrome (AJS): 1,621 most reported from Deir-ez-Zor, Idleb, and Ar-.  Sever acute respiratory infections (SARI): 911, most reported from Damascus, Rural Damascus and .  Suspected measles (SM): 90, most reported from Idleb, Deir-ez-Zor , and Ar-Raqqa  Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP): 23, most reported from Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor, Rural Damascus, and Hama.  For the “other diseases” category 14,058 cases were reported, with the most reported cases is Lice of cases (4,526) , most reported from Lattakia, Idleb, and Aleppo.

Figure 1: Proportion of Morbidity of top 5 diseases among the total consultation between week 1 and week 26,2020 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0%

Percentage 4.0% 2.0% 0.0%

Week Number

ILI AD LSH LIC SARI

Figure 1: Proportion of Morbidity of top 5 diseases among the total consultations

EWARS and epidemiological situation in Al-Hol camp (week 23, 2020-week 26,2020) Surveillance performance:

 Total number of reporting site is 23.  Average completeness of reporting 100%, and average timelines is 100.0%.  Total number of consultations were 18,580. 55.9% of the cases were among females and 54.7% were distributed among children under 5 years.

Morbidity:

 Out of the 18,580 total consultations, 4,435 EWARS notifiable cases were reported.  The leading causes of morbidity among all age groups were acute diarrhoea (59.0.8%/2,618), then influenza-like illnesses (22.3%/2,008).  1 suspected measles was reported, which was under five years old  Zero cases of AFP reported.

PAGE 4

COVID-19 Situation:

 The first case of COVID-19 - 22nd of March 2020 in Damascus, imported from USA; no positive cases through contact tracing  As of 30th of June 2020, a total of 285 cases - in 10 governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, , Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Homs, Dara’, As-Sweida, Lattakia, and Hama). Number of recoveries 110 including 5 in Hassakeh (table 1).  Number of COVID-19 deaths is ten and CFR= 3.5%. (6 in Damascus, 1 Rural Damascus, 1 Quneitra, 1 Al-Hasakeh and 1 Aleppo).  99 cases (34.7%) are travel related cases, 166 cases (58.2%) are contacts of confirmed cases, and 20 cases (7%) - unidentified source of exposure  On 21 June Syria resumed the repatriation, with the arrival of 250 nationals from India. All travelers were quarantined in Herjela in Rural Damascus, samples were collected on 26 June, lab results were negative for COVID-19.  A remarkable increase in COVID-19 cases has been observed in June with 157 cases reported in June comparing with 79 cases in May. , the rise in the number of new cases has been attributed to high number of positive cases among the contacts of confirmed cases. In addition to cases with un-identified source of infection.  The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among health workers increased to 10 in Damascus, Rural Damascus, and Aleppo. Active search on cases among health workers was conducted, and samples were collected from 77 health workers in Al Moasat hospital., Damascus hospital, and Alasad hospital.  Clustering of cases have been reported in 10 locations in four governorates (Rural Damascus, Damascus, Qunitera, Aleppo, and Hassakeh). On 29th of June a new Cluster cases was detected in Aleppo. A total of 6 confirmed cases are related Aleppo first case reported on 27 June.  Among 285 cases, 39 cases had severe symptoms (13.7), 14 cases had mild symptoms (4.9), while the rest of the cases 228 (80%) were asymptomatic.  54 % are male and 46% are female. The average age is 40 (ranging from 3 to 80) figure 4.

Table 1: The number of confirmed cases by governorate

Governorate Population Test Testing Number Positivity Incidence Deaths CFR size done rate / positive rate / 100,000 100,000 Damascus 1,835,380 3,502 191 146 4.17% 8.0 6 4.11% Rural 3,160,454 2,071 66 91 4.39% 2.9 1 1.10% Damascus Homs 1,451,058 510 35 5 0.98% 0.3 0 0.00% As-Sweida 379,170 88 23 2 2.27% 0.5 0 0.00% Al-Hasakeh 1,060,341 118 11 6 5.08% 0.6 1 16.67%

PAGE 5

Dar'a 1,015,275 224 22 2 0.89% 0.2 0 0.00% Lattakia 1,186,494 236 20 1 0.42% 0.1 0 0.00% Aleppo 3,933,168 440 11 7 1.59% 0.2 1 14.29% Ar-Raqqa 690,801 2 0 0 0.00% 0.0 0 0.00% Deir-ez-Zor 741,249 28 4 0 0.00% 0.0 0 0.00% Hama 1,342,187 363 27 1 0.28% 0.1 0 0.00% Quneitra 103,269 391 379 24 6.14% 23.2 1 4.17% Tartous 906,362 96 11 0 0.00% 0.0 0 0.00% Edleb 2,588,454 1,258 49 0 0.00% 0.0 0 0.00% Total 20,393,662 9,327 46 285 3.06% 1.4 10 3.5%

FIGURE 2: EPI CURVE FOR COVID-19 CASES BY TYPE OF EXPOSURE, IN SYRIA, 30 JUNE 2020 25

20

15

10

5

0

3-Jun 6-Jun 9-Jun

1-Apr 4-Apr 7-Apr

1-May 4-May 7-May

12-Jun 15-Jun 18-Jun 21-Jun 24-Jun 27-Jun 30-Jun

10-Apr 13-Apr 16-Apr 19-Apr 22-Apr 25-Apr 28-Apr

20-Mar 23-Mar 26-Mar 29-Mar

13-May 22-May 10-May 16-May 19-May 25-May 28-May 31-May

Contact with confirmed case Travel related Unknown

Figure2: Epi curve for covid-19 cases by type of exposure

PAGE 6

FIGURE 3: EPI CURVE FOR COVID-19 CONFIRMED AND DECEASED CASES, IN SYRIA, 30 JUNE 2020 25 20 15 10 5

0

3-Jun 6-Jun 9-Jun

1-Apr 4-Apr 7-Apr

1-May 4-May 7-May

12-Jun 15-Jun 18-Jun 21-Jun 24-Jun 27-Jun 30-Jun

10-Apr 13-Apr 16-Apr 19-Apr 22-Apr 25-Apr 28-Apr

26-Mar 20-Mar 23-Mar 29-Mar

22-May 10-May 13-May 16-May 19-May 25-May 28-May 31-May

Confirmed Cases Deaths

Figure 3: Epi curve for covid-19 confirmed and deceased cases

FIGURE 4: DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 CASES BY GENDER AND AGE GROUP, IN SYRIA, 30 JUNE 2020

80+ 70-79 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 20-29 10-19 0-9

30 20 10 0 10 20 30

Male Female

Figure 4: Distribution of covid-19 cases by gender and age group

Response:

1. Surveillance

1. WHO supported the MOH surveillance unit in launching the active surveillance activity for CDC; it entailed development of SOPs and training of surveillance staff; started on 22nd of March, in 13 governorates (125 hospitals, 25 AS teams, 115 personnel)

2. Initiate daily report of number of suspected COVID-19 cases, number of samples collected, and number of samples transported to labs.

PAGE 7

3. Building the capacity of RRTs at health districts in 13 governorates on case definition and sample collection, fill the proper investigation form and transport to lab, and contact tracing. Number of RRTs at district level is 99. In addition to 13 RRTs at governorate level. Total number of trained personnel is 432. Training plan for remaining RRTs personnel 450 is planned in July and August.

4. Works with Communicable Disease Directorate at MoH to review available COVID-19 surveillance data, update the line list of COVID-19 cases, and provide on time detailed analyzes (subject to data shared by MoH).

COVID19 Supplies Distributed by health partners

Health facility Functionality

Public Hospitals

By end of 2019, out of the 113 assessed public hospitals [MoH & MoHE], 50% (57) were reported fully functioning, 25% (28) hospitals were reported partially functioning (i.e., shortage of staff, equipment, medicines or damage of the building in some cases), while 25% (28) were reported non-functioning. 81% (91) hospitals were reported accessible, 8% (9) hard-to-access, and 11% (13) were inaccessible.

The general practitioner (0.2%) and emergency physician (0.3%) were the lowest proportion of health staff in public hospitals, followed by dentists (0.8%), pharmacists (0.7%), midwives (4.9%), laboratory (5.1%), specialists (12.5%), resident doctors (20.7%), and nurses (52.8%).

PAGE 8

Public Health centres By end of 2019, out of 1,813 assessed public health centres, 47% (853) were reported fully functioning, 22% (405) partially functioning, 31% (555) non-functioning (completely out of service). 83% (1,501) health centres were reported accessible, 2% (40) hard-to access, and 15% (265) were inaccessible, while the accessibility status of 0.4% (7) health centres were unknown.

The resident doctors represented (2%) of total health staff at centres’ level, along with pharmacists (4%)followed by general practitioners (4%); laboratory (6%); Specialist (7%); dentists (10%); midwives (11%); and nurses (59%).

Health Sector Action Health Sector Coordination and service delivery During this month, two virtual health sector coordination meeting were held at Damascus and were attended by national Syrian NGOS, international NGOs, SARC and observers. The Health Working Group meetings were also held at hubs and in Al Hol Camp with special focus on COVID-19 Response and continuity of essential health care. The health sector partners delivered health services and the cumulative monthly indicators (May) are summarized in the below table.

HRP Indicator 2020 (Per Month) May

1.1.1 Number of outpatient consultations provided 706,931

1.1.2 Total number of trauma consultations supported 17,659

1.1.3 Number of mental health consultations supported 22,675 1.1.4 Number of physical rehabilitation sessions 2,870 supported 1.1.5 Number of vaginal deliveries attended by a skilled 4,504 attendant

Medical procedures 1.1.6 Number of caesarean sections supported 3,901 1.1.7 Number of cases referred for specialised 1,262 treatment

Child Health

28, 922 children were immunized for Penta 3.

Reproductive Health

Skilled birth attendants conducted 4,504 normal deliveries while 3,901 mothers underwent caesarean sections.

PAGE 9

MHPSS Working Group WHO MH focal point as a Chair for the MHPSS TWG fortified coordination with all partners to enhance MHPSS response to COVID19, aligned with global recommendations by IASC MHPSS RG and DG memo for the imperative role of MH in emergency response. Focus remained on distributing timely information and guidelines in accessible formats, and ensured that MHPSS referral pathway is updated on continuous manner. Coordination with UNDP was one of the successful result of the collaborative work, through two projects, one is completed and the second is to be implemented shortly, related to developing capacity to provide tele-MHPSS. Agents of chance project collaboration:

 WHO supported online training for the project pf UNDP on community level, and for the transition to more remotely services, through  Orient 48 responders in psychosocial aspects of COVID-19 response, working in the field across the country.  Address mental health and basic needs of people with pre-existing mental health conditions who are affected by COVID-19, through conducting an mhGAP humanitarian training for 4 days for 15 team leads of agents of chance across the country,  Ensure that community workers, including volunteers at community level offer psychological first aid to people in acute distress after exposure to COVID19 context stressors through 3 training courses for 78 community workers/ agent of change across the country.

Within the training courses, additional main components was delivered as follow:

 Protect the mental health of all responders and enable community members including marginalized people to strengthen community self-help and social support through integrating self-care and wellbeing strategies in all of the mentioned training courses. From IASC guidelines of basic psychosocial skills in COVID19 response.  Address stigma by providing positive messages through all training courses.

Health Cluster Partners Updates

Health Cluster Partners continued supporting health service delivery across the country. Some of the highlights are; World Health Organization and Management of Patients on Ventilator in Hospital (an isolation center for WHO supported MOH to conduct capacity- COVID-19 patients), Hospital Major Incident building workshops. Medical Support. In addition to Hazmat management and evacuation of buildings Trained 300 health workers on trauma and (which was adapted for COVID-19 response), management of COVID-19 related topics in and different topics related to disability different governorates (Quneitra, Aleppo, program. The target group for those courses Hama, Tartous, , Rural Damasus, and was health professionals (doctors, nurses, and Damascus). The training included two anesthesia technicians) working in ICU and specialized courses on; Immediate Life Support

PAGE 10

emergency departments in the hospital and In coordination with Directorate of first responders from the ambulatory and Communicable and NCD at MOH; conducted a emergency directorates. 2-day training for HCWs at isolation hospitals and quarantine centers including Al-Zabadani and Ibn-Rushd hospitals in rural Damascus, Delivered 320 trauma cases in 32 first aid kits focusing on hospital checklist for COVID-19, to four NGOs in Aleppo targeting 25 trainees from DOH in rural Delivered 233,657 treatments of life saving Damascus, Homs, Tartous, Lattakia and medicines and IEHK medical kits to health Aleppo. partners and public hospitals in Aleppo, Homs, 31843 MH consultations and services were Hama, Lattakia, Ar-Raqqa, Al-Hasakeh and provided at the community level through Deir-ez-Zor. In addition, 9 patient hospital partnership with 9 NGOs in 114 different beds were delivered to DOH Ar-Raqqa. locations, including emergency response areas Assisted 500 people with disabilities in across the country, including of GBV basic benefiting from assistive devices delivered to services and awareness session on community MOH, local NGOs and other health partners’ level. facilities in Al-Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa. Health emergency response in NES (Al

Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa and Deir Ez Zor): through 6 The Qamishli hub carried out four capacity rolled out medical mobile teams and 9 fixed building trainings for NES medical staff on health facilities, the essential package of health triage, IPC measures, waste management and care services was delivered to 47,282 case management of SARI cases (suspected to beneficiaries. Al-Hol camp, Areesha camp, Al- be COVID-19). The participants were general Hasakeh collective shelters, Tal-Tamer surgeons, emergency doctors, pediatricians, collective shelters, Karama, Mahmudli camp, neurologists, cardiologists, internists, nurses Ein-Issa, Abu Khashab were /technicians working in ICUs units and hospitalization wards at Al-Hikmeh Private

Hospital and Al-Hayat Private Hospital ( both currently supported by WHO) in addition to Al-

Hol camp medical staff. The total number of trainees was 61.

UNICEF for around 1.5 meter between the patients took place. The social distancing, recommended by World Health Organization, is one of the most important The social policy program for children with protection measures to prevent transmission of the disabilities in Qamishli have shared a list of children infection with corona virus, for that in coordination under 18 months of age who have never been between DEZ FO and Unicef partners NGOs an vaccinated or who were partially vaccinated due to initiative has been implemented in the health and their inability to move or travel from their villages or nutrition clinics of these NGOs in DEZ. towns to the static vaccination points, and did not accept visitation from the mobile teams in their Through this initiative stickers were pasted on the villages. UNICEF coordinated between DoH mobile ground in front of the chairs in the reception and vaccination team and the case managers responsible waiting areas In order to insure that the distancing

PAGE 11

for those children and arranged for the mobile team to visit those households to assess the children and provide the necessary vaccinations needed. This activity started in April and finished by June.

UNICEF supported clinic-employing social distancing for patients by pasting stickers on the floor

UNHCR SARC conducted 10 awareness sessions for 96 persons addressing anemia, laryngitis and During June an estimated 12,213 IDPs , and 824 personal hygiene. refugees & asylum seekers assisted to access basic package of primary health care services through 14 61 PoCs were targeted by SARC through 4 health PHCs supported by UNHCR in Damascus, rural awareness raising session on children nutrition Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Al Hasakeh. Services included medical consultations, and COVID-19 prevention, after adhering with investigations. Treatment courses were provided to the needed prevention measures against COVID- 7258 IDPs and 325 refugees & asylum seekers. 19.

111 refugees & asylum seekers in need for secondary care were referred by UNHCR partners to hospitals and received free of charge secondary care services.

1308 PoCs reached by community based health activities in 17 health points, through whatsapp groups and other remote communication and through 11 basic clinics and 34 community health workers in Hassakeh, Aleppo, rural Aleppo , rural Hama, rural Homs, Tartous , rural Tartous , Rural Qunaitra ,rural Daraa and rural Damascus. 661 received basic Medical consultation, while 647 PoC benefited from health promotion and SARC Health Point supported by UNHCR disease prevention activities.

44 PoCs were targeted by SARC through a health awareness raising session on colon cancer.

PAGE 12

SARC health point in Quneitra conducted two Namaa partner delivered three online awareness awareness sessions on COVID-19 targeting 20 sessions via WhatsApp application covering topics children; the sessions clarified the symptoms of the on vaccines and their importance in fighting diseases infection and prevention methods. In addition, the such as hypothyroidism, brucellosis and typhoid. difference between Novel coronavirus and fever The total number of the targeted audience was 65 were explained. people whose age group ranged from 25 to 60 years

COVID-19 : 13 suspected /referred cases in Damascus and Quneitra .

International Medical Corps Syria 3,085 Beneficiaries received health education sessions related to COVID19 International Medical Corps continued to provide primary health care for beneficiaries 2,174 Beneficiaries received COVID19 through three static clinics in Masaken Awareness sessions Barzah clinic (Damascus), clinic 809 Beneficiaries received Hand Washing (Rural Damascus) and As-SanaJunn clinic sessions (Dara’a), and seven Medical Mobile Clinics 102 Beneficiaries received Infection Prevention (MMCs) in Rural Damascus and Damascus. Control sessions. During Jun-2020, a total of 22,982 consultations were provided to 17,386 beneficiaries

In addition, IMC provided patients with INTERSOS advanced health care through referral system to IPC training for 51 health care workers from International Medical Corps’ contracted two SARC HFs from 15 -18 of June hospitals/ specialists. The advanced health care PPE: INTERSOS provided SARC with PPE and includes consultations in various specialities, some medical equipment’s were delivered to surgeries, and providing hearing aid services to SARC warehouse on the 28th of June children with hearing impairments, this service RCCE: INTERSOS patronized a training for SARC covers audiometry tests, installing H.A devices, volunteers in Hama and Tartous on conducting and speech therapies. FGDs to assess the awareness level of the Besides, disability aids are provided targeted communities regarding COVID19 in continuously to people in needs as per IMC the context of COVID19 response. criteria. During Jun 86, patients received different types of disability aids including wheel chair, diapers, walkers, toilet seats, crutches, catheters and colostomy.

In addition, regarding COVID19 response, IMC provided health education in Clinics and MMTs as following:

PAGE 13

AAH Syria delivered by 18 health trainers (from health COVID-19 response: Infection Prevention and facilities, CHWs and AKHS, S staff) who have Control (IPC) received Training of Trainers (ToT). Trainers deliver in-person trainings to target groups in AAH delivered PPE and IPC items (5850 packs of Salamieh City and travel to 20 villages to conduct gloves, 20,250 gowns, 2,550 eye goggles, 80 on-job training for PHCC staff. thermometers, and 450 gallon of disinfectants) to MoH, covering needs for 25 ambulances (2 in each of Rural Damascus, Quneitra, Dar’a, Sweida, Homs, Hama, Tartous, Lattakia, Aleppo and Der Ezzor, in addition to 4 in Damascus and 1 in Raqqa), 15 isolation centres (7 in Rural Damascus, 4 in Aleppo, 2 in Hama, 2 in Homs), and 5 mobile clinics (Rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Lattakia).

Medical equipment and uniforms were delivered Organizing beneficiaries to ensure social distancing to 6 ambulances in Dar’a. . (AKHS)

Aga Khan Health Services Raise awareness by Medical Mobile Teams By June 2020, 1,164 health workers were (MMTs) of communities in marginalized trained on COVID-19 infection control. It areas in Salamieh about infection prevention includes (physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and protection in the context of COVID- 19 nurses, administration team and cleaners) (271 M & 893 F), 562 from Salamieh National MMTs didn’t stop providing health services Hospital (SNH), 471, Salamieh Health District (reproductive health, child health, vaccination (SHD), 49 Mobile Teams (MTs) and 82 Private and health education, investigated suspected sectors. 101 Physician were trained on cases of COVID-19 and psychological support) treatment protocol based on WHO and MoH to families in marginalized areas, considering guidelines. 32 dentist and 24 pharmacists that the people have a weak and limited access trained on IPC. All those training supported with to source of information. IEC materials (posters and guidelines) to help health workers to remember and apply the right MMTs workers were able to provide a good information and guideline for IPC. model and practical application about infection prevention and protection practices through Training were including a variety of teaching their commitment to providing health services methods such as pre and post-tests, as the recommendations of MoH and WHO. presentations, videos, PPE simulation exercises, and sessions with external specialists outside . Syria via virtual platforms. Training were

PAGE 14

Plans for future response

Finalizing health sector inputs to OCHA for preparation of SHF Standard Allocation Paper Finalizing inputs to UNDP on Socioeconomic Impact –assessment of COVID-19 and related factors in Syria.

CONTACTS

Damascus Aleppo Homs Lattakia/Tartous Qamishli national sub-national sub-national sub-national (north-east Syria): level level level level sub-national level Coordinators Dr Jamshed Tanoli Dr Kady Fares Dr Nadia Aljamali, Mr Hamza Hasan Dr Khaled Al Khaled Health Sector Head of WHO Head of WHO Head of WHO Head of WHO sub- Coordinator sub-office sub-office sub-office office [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Deir ez Zor sub-national level- Dr Haitham Alshaher [email protected] Information Management Unit Mr Mutasem Mohammad, Information Management Officer, WHO Syria, [email protected] Mr Ayman Al Mobayed, Information Management Officer, WHO Syria, [email protected]

PAGE 15