Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization, has been actively addressing critical healthcare needs in two vastly different regions: southern Syria and Ghana.
In Syria, the organization, alongside partners Jordan Health Aid Society-International and Al Yusra Charity Association, delivered its first nonprofit shipment of medical supplies to the Daraa and Suwayda Governorates. This area, previously inaccessible due to conflict, faces severe shortages.
There is a significant lack of specialized medical staff in the area, including doctors, nurses, and technicians, and most health facilities are reporting a need for nearly all pharmaceutical items. Critical medical devices like dialysis machines, incubators, and surgical equipment are either absent or in poor working condition due to a lack of maintenance.
In addition, malnutrition and anemia are prevalent in children, pregnant women, and older adults. People living with chronic diseases like kidney disease and diabetes are not getting the necessary ongoing medical care, due to a lack of supplies and specialists.
Laith Salman, Project HOPE’s Team Lead in Syria, highlighted the dire situation, noting that health facilities are understaffed, under-resourced, and often damaged. He emphasized the urgent need for food aid, clean water, and mental health support, particularly for vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly. “Southern Syria desperately needs humanitarian attention,” Salman said in a press release.
Meanwhile, in Ghana, Project HOPE has launched a $45 million, five-year initiative to improve maternal, neonatal, and child health. Supported by USAID Ghana and in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, the program aims to strengthen healthcare services, address malnutrition, and combat malaria in underserved regions.
Ghana has made great progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, due to the scale-up of immunizations and essential antenatal, maternal, and newborn interventions. In addition, the country’s Community-based Health Planning and Services policy has helped to reduce mortality rates by providing an array of cost-effective, quality health care services.
However, disparities persist, especially in the north, where chronic malnutrition and inadequate infrastructure remain significant challenges. Approximately 19% of children are chronically malnourished, with a 33% stunting rate. Nationwide, Ghana’s 2022 Demographic and Health Survey found that four in ten women were anemic, contributing to poor birth outcomes. The survey also revealed that approximately 40 out of every 1,000 babies born die before their fifth birthday from preventable causes related to prematurity, infection, and illness.
Rabih Torbay, Project HOPE’s President and CEO, expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “We will build more resilient health systems so every mother can access supportive pregnancy care, and every child can have the healthiest possible start.”
Project HOPE is partnering with established local organizations including the Christian Health Association of Ghana, Sanford World Clinics Ghana, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Vayu Global Health Foundation. These partnerships ensure solutions are community-driven and sustainable, promoting lasting improvements in health care access for mothers, babies, and children across Ghana.
Both missions underscore Project HOPE’s commitment to addressing systemic healthcare barriers and fostering sustainable solutions. By collaborating with local partners and focusing on community-driven approaches, the organization aims to create lasting improvements in health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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