Access to healthcare
in SYRIA
Team Aleppo. HL322 International Health Issues; Winter 2017
A description of The effects of the beliefs, values, behaviors, and social customs of the Syrian people on the healthcare tragedies of the Syrian war
Cultural Aspects
Meet The Syrians Determined to Live as Normal in Damascus. (2016) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVH0ostAxoU
Cultural Overview
Museum of Lost Objects: Aleppo's minaret. Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35707634
Arabic culture runs deep through Syria's cities. The vast majority of Syria is Muslim. Many citizens celebrate Ramadan, a one month period of fasting in daytime. Syria's governing capital, Aleppo, is an ancient city with mosques and other structures dating back to the 12th century. Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is based on the Lunar Calendar consisting of 354 days each year. Their holidays fall earlier each year compared to our Solar calendar. (Every Culture 2017)
The recent attacks have left irreplaceable ancient structures as rubble. The carelessness of the bombers have turned beautiful and astonishing craftsmanship of ancient peoples into dust.
The typical Syrian family is large; there are generally many children. Offspring are seen as a gift of God. In Syrian culture, the more family one has, the more fortunate he or she is perceived to be. Children are viewed as extra hands for working. Many families are often very tight knit and loving. Women commonly work at home, growing special bonds with children (particularly the eldest son). Men often are the main source of money for the family. This is partially due to he fact that men more commonly go on to achieve higher education. One may argue it is mostly due to Islamic culture is sexist, viewing women as lessor than men. This goes on to help produce gender roles, making it the norm for women to be stay at home mothers instead of going on to achieve more. (Heritage for Peace)
CNN Ancient city of Aleppo: Before and after. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG8C1WosT5M
Social
After six years in mandatory, state regulated, school a child is free to decide between higher education or to work. Middle school, which begins at age thirteen, is the beginning of sex segregation in education. Universities and trade type schools exist in select cities of Syria, though they use outdated teaching equipment. With Syria's less than ideal education system, only 64% of its population are literate.
Marriages in typical Muslim culture are arranged. There is some leeway for most families, but children do not often marry outside of parents wishes. If a man can prove he is able to financially support a second wife, he can marry another. Though this isn't as frequent, Syria was the first to institute laws concerning polygamy.
Unless there is a designated entire family gathering, women and men most often socialize separately. Greetings are very important in Syrian culture, often involving hugs and kisses. Affection is often shown ot each other by linking arms and talking much. A huge portion of Syrian's gatherings involve talking, as it is seen as a skill to have. (Every Culture 2017)
Health
There is a correlation between common health of citizens in a given city and its population size. Bigger cities have more options for healthcare facilities and are commonly more wealthy than rural towns. In certain rural areas, there aren't well developed sewage systems. This results in leakage of sewage into drinking water that has the potential to make the town's occupants and visitors very sick. Measles is one of the biggest problems from contamination, ending in a high child mortality rate. Other common contaminants result in digestive and respiratory diseases, also adding to the large number of children who don't make it past their fifth birthday. (Heritage for Peace)