Russia Delivers Medicines to Syria’s Only Cancer Center – Defense Ministry

Russian Armed Forces of the Center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria delivered medicines to the only functioning cancer center in the country in the Tishreen University hospital of the Latakia province, representative of the Reconciliation Center Vladimir Korzovatykh told Sputnik on Saturday.

LATAKIA (Sputnik) — According to head of Tishreen Hospital Munir Othman, the medicines delivered by the reconciliation center are not produced in Syria, and the hospital cannot purchase them from Europe because of the sanctions against the country. Othman earlier told Sputnik that in 2015, almost all foreign suppliers of medicaments refused to work in Syria because of the sanctions.

"We held a humanitarian event to deliver anti-cancer medications to the only oncological center still existing and functioning in Syria. This was long in the making. The medications are thermolabile [destroyed or deactivated by heat], they need special conditions, that’s why there were certain difficulties with the delivery, as we needed special heat-resistant containers," Korzovatykh said, adding that a total of 16 boxes with some 300 kilograms (661 pounds) medicines were delivered.

The Tishreen Hospital is the main hospital in Latakia, with people from all over the country coming here to receive treatment, which is free for all Syrian citizens, including those with cancer. According to Nadir Abdallah, head of the hospital’s cancer center, the center accept some 200 patients every day.

Othman thanked Russia for the help and assured that the medicines will get to those who need them.

A number of sanctions were imposed on Syria since the beginning of the civil war in the country, including oil embargo, restrictions on some investments and on exports of certain equipment and technology to Syria that may be used for "internal repression."