RIHA - Northern and Eastern Syria Health Committee Co-chair Dr. Mehmed Nur stated that they are based on a health system that prioritizes people, and that people receive free of charge health care in their native language.

 

Following the civil war that broke out in Syria in 2011, the Kurds seized power in the cities they lived in and started to build a new life together with the people living in the region. The construction process, which was initiated under the leadership of TEV-DEM on July 19, 2012, attracted the attention of the world public in a short time. The work carried out by assemblies and communes since equal representation of all peoples and beliefs, based on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's Democratic Nation Paradigm, continues uninterrupted despite Turkey's attack. The Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria carries out important work in all areas of life, from education to labour, from health to the judiciary and local governments.

 

One of the most important areas in the construction process is the health system. While the Health Committee of the Autonomous Administration reactivated the hospitals and health centers damaged by the war, it also built new hospitals in many cities. Under the control of the Autonomous Administration, 61 hospitals, 24 of which are private, provide public health services. Doctor Mehmed Nur, Co-chair of the Northern and Eastern Syria Health Committee, explained the Health System to Mezopotamya Agency (MA). 

 

'WE REJECT THE UNDERSTANDING OF MANAGEMENT FROM THE CENTRAL'

 

Stating that they are based on the committee and parliament management approach, Doctor Mehmet Nur said that they reject the central management approach. Nur said: “We provide healthcare services in hospitals with committees affiliated with the Health Committee in every city. Not only in the field of health, but every field also makes plans according to their own needs and acts accordingly. The Autonomous Administration is only interested in the cost part. The work to be done is determined by the parliament and committees. We continue our work in the field of health with committees affiliated to the Health Committee in every canton and city of North East Syria." 

 

FIRST GRADUATES OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE

 

Sharing the information that the medical faculty established within Rojava University during the construction process will have their first graduates in 2023, Dr. Nur said: “We will assign 20 doctors who graduated from the medical faculty in the coming days, according to the needs of the hospitals. Likewise, 20 nurses who graduated from the Health Academy will work in hospitals where there is need. At the same time, they become our first graduates with the declaration of the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria. The faculty of medicine affiliated with Raqqa University was opened. They graduate after 4 years of education in these faculties. After graduation, we assign them to hospitals according to their needs. In the coming years, we will make significant changes in the field of health and establish councils in every region. Every segment of the society will take part in these assemblies, discuss the needs and expectations of the hospitals and make their own decisions."

 

FREE OF CHARGE HEALTH CARE 

 

Stating that they aim for a system that prioritizes the public and is easily accessible in the health system, Dr. Nur continued: “The public receives free of charge healthcare services in many hospitals in Northern and Eastern Syria. In very few hospitals, a symbolic fee is charged based on needs. Of course, this fee is not a fee that will strain the people's economy. A symbolic fee is charged only for the needs of the hospital. So, the public can receive health care more easily, all people living in Northern and Eastern Syria can receive hospital services in their native language. We base health care in the mother tongue. For this reason, health services are provided in the language of all people living in Northern and Eastern Syria.”

 

HEALTH SERVICE IN DEMOCRATIC MODERNITY

 

Pointing out the differences between the healthcare system of Democratic Modernity and the healthcare system of the capitalist system, Nur made the following statements: “In capitalist modernity, the healthcare system is seen as a commercial activity. Human health is handled in a fragmented manner. In other words, psychological and physical disorders are seen separately from each other. However, in the health system based on the Democratic Modernity paradigm, health is seen as a public service. We consider human health, not in parts. In other words, it is the mental state underlying many physical disorders. People are affected by the environment, society and political conditions in which they live. These conditions have an impact on psychology and cause physical disorders. When we treat a person, we examine all these conditions. We try to provide the health service free of charge and in a way that is easily accessible to people. The healthcare system based on Democratic Modernity cannot exploit people. However, in the capitalist system, health has turned into complete exploitation and commerce. We are against this. Health is the most basic need. Therefore, people must reach health in the easiest and free way.”

 

'TURKEY IS TARGETING HOSPITALS'

 

Doctor Nur said that Turkey targeted hospitals in Northern and Eastern Syria, ignoring international agreements, and reacted to the silence of international states in the face of these attacks. Nur said: “The silent international public opinion and powers made Turkey an accomplice. In previous attacks, the hospital established for Corona disease was targeted. In the latest attacks, the Oxygen Station was targeted. The dialysis unit was targeted. It caused a life-threatening situation for patients with discomfort. A health center in Kobanê was targeted and bombed. The people were left without a hospital. Not only hospitals, but also many hospitals were left without electricity due to the targeted power station. Although it is stated in many international agreements that hospitals and infrastructure systems cannot be targeted even in wars, Turkey carried out these attacks in front of the eyes of the whole world. Although Turkey committed war crimes with these attacks, where are the international states? Where are the courts responsible for enforcing these laws? They are also complicit in this crime committed with this silence. We have no trust in these institutions or these states. However, the people do not step back against these attacks. They defend their will and the construction of a Democratic Nation here. Because this paradigm is the salvation of the people of the Middle East. This is why the attacks are carried out." 

 

MA / Mahmut Altıntaş