Damascus: The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has launched a specialist cardiac care program in northwestern Syria, establishing heart surgery and cardiac catheterization services in Idlib province to improve access to treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease.
In a statement on Tuesday, QRCS said the project included the creation of cardiac surgery and catheterization departments at Al Hidaya Hospital, alongside intensive cardiac care units equipped to modern medical standards.
The project also involved renovating hospital facilities, supplying medical equipment needed for heart procedures and surgeries, and training doctors and healthcare staff to strengthen local expertise.
QRCS said the initiative was designed to address a shortage of specialized cardiac services in Idlib, where many patients have previously been forced to travel outside the province for treatment because of limited healthcare capacity.
The organization said the project would enhance the hospital's ability to diagnose and treat heart disease locally, reducing referrals outside the region while supporting the long-term development of local health services.
Around 3,000 cardiac patients are expected to benefit from the program each year through free specialized interventions and heart surgery, QRCS said, describing the initiative as part of its broader humanitarian response in Syria and its efforts to strengthen sustainable healthcare services for vulnerable communities.
