On April 9, 2026, the Syrian Future Movement, believing that restoring the nation’s well-being begins with restoring human dignity and health, joins the international community in commemorating World Psycho-Oncology Day.
This day, which honors the legacy of Dr. Jamie Holland, represents a national call to reaffirm the importance of the psychological and social dimensions as a fundamental pillar, no less important than clinical treatment, in confronting cancer.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that the values this day promotes—breaking the stigma of the disease, achieving equitable access to care, and strengthening human solidarity—are precisely the values we need to establish the foundations of a healthy Syrian society.
Cancer patients in Syria not only face the debilitating disease itself, but also compounded psychological pressures resulting from years of war, displacement, and instability.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its digital and field analysis on the 2026 Joint Health Monitoring Database, which clearly indicates that Syria records approximately 25,000 new cancer cases annually, while 90% of these patients suffer from a lack of specialized psychological support.
Recognizing the sensitivity of the transitional phase our country is undergoing, the Syrian Future Movement views the issue of cancer care as a true test of the ability of emerging national institutions to adopt standards of human dignity, free from politicization or administrative quotas.
Based on this comprehensive vision, the Syrian Future Movement presents the following national recommendations:
- The Syrian Future Movement calls on the transitional government and international organizations to integrate clinical psychological support units as a mandatory component in all cancer centers, considering that neglecting this aspect increases relapse and mortality rates resulting from anxiety and depression disorders by up to 30%.
- The Syrian Future Movement calls for the depoliticization of healthcare “corridors of hope” and for ensuring access to psychological and physical treatment centers for patients throughout Syria as an inalienable human right.
- The Syrian Future Movement announces the necessity of launching a “Syrian Digital Platform for Mental Health Care” that leverages the expertise of Syrian doctors abroad to provide support to patients within Syria through remote consultations. This platform aims to compensate for the severe shortage of medical personnel, as more than 70% of them have emigrated in the last decade.
- The Syrian Future Movement recommends allocating independent budgets to support palliative care and ensure access to medication and painkillers for patients with advanced conditions. It considers alleviating psychological and physical pain a national priority that supersedes any other investment considerations.
In conclusion, the Syrian Future Movement affirms that building the “Syria of the Future” will not be complete without a healthcare system that respects the humanity of the individual in their moments of vulnerability.
For our part, we pledge to our resilient people, who are facing illness, that we will remain the guarantors and monitors to ensure that comprehensive care reaches every patient, ultimately leading to a nation that leaves no one behind.
