All of the participants at the first theoretical training session at Aleppo University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Launching a new surgical training programme in Syria
In Syria, many women still lack access to minimally invasive surgery for gynaecological conditions. Years of conflict have damaged hospitals, limited access to equipment, and reduced the number of trained specialists in the workforce.
We are therefore pleased to announce the official start of a new gynaecological laparoscopy capacity-building programme in collaboration with the Syrian Ministries of Higher Education and Health. The programme combines classroom teaching with hands-on training, including new surgical equipment, simulation training, and supervised on-hand surgical training.
In January 2026, we launched the program at Aleppo University Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, beginning the first theoretical training sessions. This initial phase focuses on building foundational knowledge in laparoscopic principles, equipment handling, patient selection, safety standards, and surgical techniques. Sixteen final-year resident doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology are participating in the training programme, along with two nurses receiving specialised training in instrument handling, sterilisation protocols, and equipment care.
In the next phases, new laparoscopic equipment will be installed at the hospital with a structured orientation on devices and instrumentation, as well as the establishment of a dry lab. In the dry lab, students will practice their skills before performing procedures under supervision in the operating rooms. This approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is progressively translated into practical competence in a safe and controlled environment.
As of now, the programme is planned to expand to Damascus University Hospital in April 2026, using the same structured teaching model. Through this initiative, by training future doctors and nurses, we aim to strengthen local capacity to deliver and teach minimally invasive gynaecological surgery at university hospitals in Syria.
