The Syrian Insurance Supervisory Commission (SISC) recently announced the resumption of health insurance services for employees across various sectors, including the state, economic, administrative, and private sectors. This critical move, publicized on SISC’s official Facebook page, allows the payment of dues to medical service providers to commence. Established in 2004 by a presidential decree, the SISC aims to develop and regulate the insurance market effectively. Previously, health insurance services for the private sector and medical services covering chronic medications, emergency admissions, childbirth, and cancer treatment were reinstated at the Syrian General Insurance Institution for public sector employees.
Health insurance plays a crucial role for many Syrians by reducing medication costs and treatment expenses for chronic diseases, funded through taxes deducted from employees’ salaries. Insurance options in Syria include individual health insurance, covering individuals and families under separate contracts, and group health insurance for institutions, companies, and unions under a single group contract. Currently, the SISC strives to increase the reach and accessibility of these insurance options to better serve the nation’s needs. By consolidating these previously suspended services, the SISC aims to enhance medical care accessibility and manage associated costs, marking a significant step forward in Syria’s health insurance landscape amid economic challenges.
Addressing the Low Coverage and Economic Disparities
The 2023 annual report of the SISC, published in May 2024, indicated that only 5% of Syrians were health-insured at that time. The report attributed the low coverage to inflated insurance costs for companies, making it financially unviable for many private enterprises to offer health insurance to their employees. The disparity between insured individuals in the public and private sectors remains alarming, with public sector employees predominantly benefiting from health insurance coverage. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for policy interventions targeting increased participation of private sector employers in health insurance schemes to create more balanced and equitable coverage.
In 2023, approximately 927,000 Syrians were health-insured, with 64% of them benefiting from the various coverage options available. Despite this, the majority of the population remains unprotected against unforeseen medical expenses, exacerbating the financial strain on households, especially those dealing with chronic illnesses or medical emergencies. As Syria navigates economic instability and strives for recovery, ensuring broader health insurance coverage becomes essential. Implementing policies that offer incentives to private companies and exploring subsidized health insurance programs could potentially reduce the financial burden on businesses, ultimately increasing coverage rates.
The Path Forward for the Syrian Health Insurance System
The Syrian Insurance Supervisory Commission (SISC) announced the resumption of health insurance services for employees across various sectors, including state, economic, administrative, and private. This crucial announcement, made on SISC’s official Facebook page, permits the payment of dues to medical service providers to begin. Founded by a presidential decree in 2004, SISC’s mission is to develop and regulate the insurance market. Previously, health insurance services for the private sector, as well as coverage for chronic medication, emergency admission, childbirth, and cancer treatment for public sector employees, were reinstated at the Syrian General Insurance Institution.
Health insurance plays a vital role for many Syrians by reducing the cost of medication and treatment for chronic diseases, funded through taxes deducted from salaries. Insurance options in Syria include individual health insurance for individuals and families, and group health insurance for institutions, companies, and unions. The SISC aims to expand and improve the reach of these insurance services to better serve the nation’s healthcare needs, marking a significant advancement in Syria’s health insurance landscape amid ongoing economic difficulties.
