Building Sustainable Medical Support for Syrian Refugees

Role: Chief Medical Officer, Swiss-Groupe (Swiss NGO)

Scope: Eastern Turkey (Gaziantep region) | Community-Based Refugee Support

Designed and implemented a structured medical and psychosocial support programme for Syrian refugee families in a politically constrained environment.

Context

Gaziantep. Turkey (2024)

Swiss-Groupe (a Swiss NGO) had been providing cash-based and sponsorship support to Syrian refugee families in Eastern Turkey. Several families had complex medical needs, but there was no formal medical programme, oversight structure, or centralised record of cases. The region was politically sensitive, trust in institutions was fragile, and funding for small NGOs required clear accountability.

Intervention

On our initial field visit, I created a needs assessment framework and conducted holistic evaluations of all supported families, creating the first cohesive baseline of medical, psychological, and social needs.

Recognising that sustainability required local continuity, I established a formal medical project with defined KPIs and reporting mechanisms. We hired a full-time medical liaison officer to support families, integrate them into the Turkish healthcare system, and act as a trusted bridge with local services.

Where specialist care was required, we developed referral relationships with established local NGOs. Rather than building parallel systems, the programme strengthened existing networks and embedded families within appropriate local care pathways.

Impact & Outcomes

• Established the organisation’s first structured medical programme with formal oversight and reporting

• Created a centralised needs assessment framework for all supported families

• Integrated families into the Turkish healthcare system through dedicated local liaison

• Built referral partnerships for psychological and rehabilitation services

• Secured additional Swiss government funding through structured governance and reporting

• Strengthened community trust through consistent, locally embedded support

What This Taught Me

In fragile settings, the absence of systems is not abstract - it shapes daily survival. Structured assessment and clear governance were essential stabilising forces for families navigating medical, psychological, and social uncertainty.

This experience shaped how I approach my work. For me, compassion is an integral component of systems thinking. Clear governance creates alignment, however meaningful progress depends on collaboration and trust. The strongest systems are built with local voices at the centre, enabling communities to participate in their own solutions and build stronger, more sustainable systems as a result.

As someone of Syrian background, this work also carried deep personal weight. It reinforced how profoundly our lives are shaped by where we are born and the systems that surround us. Privilege and stability are rarely individual achievements; they are products of infrastructure.