On 23 October 2024 the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Syria’s Ministry of Health, announced a comprehensive training of trainers (ToT) programme to enhance hospital management and care across Syria. The programme, which runs until mid-November at the Centre for Strategic Studies and Health Training in Damascus, will train 70 health professionals as national trainers.

Supported by Austria, the training will equip participants with leadership and management skills tailored to Syria’s healthcare needs. The initiative includes 7 modules covering: governance, leadership, and strategic thinking; human resource management; hospital financial management; quality improvement and patient safety; hospital supplies and supportive services; hospital emergency and disaster management and hospital information management.

The modules, incorporating global best practices, will be delivered by expert facilitators from WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) and commissioned international consultants from the Arab world. This initiative has already been implemented in 6 countries in the Region.