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This is a profile of the Syrian Expatriates Medical Association (SEMA), a member of the HelpAge network.
As Syria begins to navigate a critical turning point in its history, the Syrian Expatriates Medical Association (SEMA) is reflecting on its journey and looking ahead to its role in shaping a reunified and revitalised nation.
Dr. Hassan, Chief Executive Officer, SEMAThe most pressing issue for older people is the lack of access to healthcare services.
Since its establishment in 2011, SEMA has been a lifeline for millions in Syria, keeping hospitals and health services operational in the northwest during years of conflict. Now, with the country at a crossroads, SEMA is adapting to the changing landscape and laying the groundwork for a better future.
Operating as part of a global coalition that includes SEMA France, SEMA USA, and soon SEMA UK, the organisation initially focused on emergency healthcare.
“We provided surgeries and medical supplies in areas under attack, even establishing underground medical centres to ensure care during bombardments,” Dr. Hassan, CEO of SEMA explains.
Today, SEMA manages three hospitals dedicated to surgical operations, four focused on women and children, and numerous medical centres across Syria.
Over the years, SEMA has grown beyond emergency response to address broader health and social challenges. Nutrition programmes, child protection services, and psychosocial support have become integral to its mission. More recently, with support from HelpAge International, SEMA has extended its focus to older people, a demographic often overlooked in humanitarian responses. Together, they are working on a project in Idlib to assess and meet the needs of older Syrians.
“Many older people lost their children to the war—some were killed, others fled the country—leaving them with no one to care for them,” says Dr. Hassan. “In our culture, it is essential to care for our parents and grandparents. This is why we are committed to stepping in.”
The devastation of years of conflict casts a long shadow. Families who chose to return to their homes often found the lack of basic services, electricity, and infrastructure unbearable, forcing them back to camps. Healthcare facilities and schools remain in ruins, and older people, in particular, face significant barriers to accessing essential services.
“Before the conflict, there were care centres for older people, but they were in a terrible state,” adds Dr. Hassan. “We are currently assessing these centres to determine what they need. It’s an urgent task. Without immediate action, these people will have no one to look after them.”
With the fall of the previous regime and the prospect of reunification, SEMA is shifting its focus towards rebuilding. Their immediate priority is rehabilitating hospitals and medical facilities to ensure comprehensive care for all, including older people.
“The most pressing issue for older people is the lack of access to healthcare services. Dedicated centres for older people are essential. We have the expertise and the commitment to make this happen—we just need the necessary resources and support,” says Dr. Hassan. “While these centres are valuable, community-based care models can be more sustainable and culturally appropriate, especially in Syria. These could include training caregivers, family members, and health workers to provide basic support.”
Looking ahead, SEMA envisions a healthcare system in Syria considerably more advanced that what it has offered over the last number of years. Despite limited resources, the organisation has successfully built medical centres in the north, bringing hope and relief to communities. “We were able to return smiles to people’s faces. Our goal is to achieve this across the entire country. But it will require hard work, collaboration, and financial support.”
As Syria stands at this pivotal moment, SEMA’s aspirations for the future are clear: to contribute to a healthcare system that serves all Syrians and to ensure that older people are not left behind. However, the challenges are immense. “We lack basic services, especially for older people, including access to assistive devices,” Dr. Hassan says. “But we’ve proven our ability to make a difference. Now, we need the resources and the opportunity to expand our work to the rest of Syria.”
SEMA’s commitment to rebuilding Syria extends beyond healthcare. They believe that rebuilding the nation requires empowering its people, from the youngest to the oldest, and creating systems that uphold dignity and care. “Let the experts do their job, and together, we can rebuild this country.”
Through their unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts with partners like HelpAge International, SEMA is not only keeping healthcare services alive but is also in a position to shape the vision for a reunified and resilient Syria. This moment of transition offers both hope and responsibility, a chance to ensure that those most at risk, including older people, are not forgotten as the country moves forward.
Dr. Hassan, Chief Executive Officer, SEMAMany older people lost their children to the war—some were killed, others fled the country—leaving them with no one to care for them. In our culture, it is essential to care for our parents and grandparents. This is why we are committed to stepping in.
