The Syrian Investment Commission clarifies: "Health is not for sale"
The Syrian Investment Commission issued an explanatory statement in which it confirmed that what was raised on social media platforms during the past hours about the future of the national hospitals came as a result of a misunderstanding of media statements, stressing that citizens' concerns are "understandable and appreciated."
In its statement, the authority said that "health is not for sale and will not be," stressing that the medical reality in the country will not witness any change that affects the essence of its national role.
She added that what was stated in the recent media interview about the privatization of government hospitals is only related to the discussion of "modern management models" in partnership with the private sector with the aim of "improving work mechanisms and raising the efficiency of services while ensuring that every citizen receives treatment with dignity".
The Authority stressed that the state will remain the main guarantor of treatment, and that no Syrian will be deprived of his right to medicine due to his financial situation, pointing out that any new administrative model will be subject to the supervision and full control of the state, in a way that protects the rights of citizens and raises the level of health services.
Official statements spark controversy
The statement followed a wave of discontent sparked by the statements of the director of the Syrian Investment Commission, Talal al-Hilali, who spoke in an interview with CNN about a government trend to give the private sector a direct role in the management of government hospitals.
Al-Hilali noted that the state owns 71 government hospitals and that the government "is moving to give these hospitals to the private sector to manage them and benefit from their revenues in partnership with the state", which is widely understood as a step towards a gradual privatization of the health sector.
Other File
The Syrian Investment Commission had previously retracted a circular it had issued earlier on Tuesday evening, calling on owners of real estate development projects to immediately stop implementing any works if they do not obtain the necessary licenses and legal approvals.
The Authority announced through a new circular No. 20 "the suspension of the previous circular until the holding of an upcoming national meeting that brings together the concerned authorities and owners of real estate development projects with the aim of reaching consensual solutions that support the general plan for real estate development in Syria," explaining that this decision came "in response to the desire of the various parties operating in the sector."
Circular No. 18 obliged investors to submit official applications for licenses before embarking on any construction or marketing activity, including off-plan sales, with a deadline not exceeding 15 days to complete the legal procedures and settle the status of the projects, provided that legal measures are taken against violators after the expiry of the deadline.
The role of the Investment Authority in Entrepreneurship
The Syrian Investment Commission is the central body responsible for organizing and following up investment projects in the country, based on the Investment Law No. 18 of 2021.
The Authority operates under the "Single Window" system, which aims to simplify procedures and expedite the granting of approvals in cooperation with various government entities, thus contributing to improving the investment environment and reducing complexities.
The Authority's role is not limited to granting licenses, but also includes following up on the implementation of projects, providing support to investors, and promoting investment opportunities in various economic sectors.