In brief
On 4 November 2026, officials from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria gathered in Hama to lay the cornerstone of a Continuous Medical and Health Education Center under the oversight of the Syrian Ministry of Health. The project will provide advanced training for doctors, nurses and other health workers, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian support after decades of conflict.
On 4 November 2026, a group of officials from Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria gathered in the city of Hama to lay the cornerstone of a new Continuous Medical and Health Education Center (CCMHE) under the supervision of the Syrian Ministry of Health.
The ceremony was held on the grounds of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid Center in Hama and was attended by Saudi ambassador to Syria Gazi bin Rafi' Al-Anzi, Deputy Governor of Hama Muhammad Jihad Ta'ma, and the director of the Center’s Jordanian office Dr. Naif Saleh Al-Shumri. Jordanian representatives appeared on the sidelines, underscoring the regional cooperation behind the initiative.
In addition to the delegation, the event drew other local officials, including Deputy Governor of Hama for Health Affairs Dr. Muhammad Al-Sharif, Hama Director of Health Dr. Firas Misri, and a representative from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. These figures emphasized that the CCMHE would serve as a hub for continuous training for doctors, nurses and other health professionals across Syria.
The project aims to establish a specialised training environment that will keep Syrian health workers up‑to‑date with medical knowledge and practical skills. By bringing together standardised curricula, modern equipment and qualified trainers, the Center will address skill gaps that emerged during years of conflict.
Project Goals and Impact
The CCMHE will attract health staff from various Syrian provinces, widening the reach of educational services beyond Hama. The Center is expected to improve the quality of healthcare in the region, reduce patient complications and support local hospitals with a steady pipeline of skilled personnel.
In a statement, the Saudi ambassador highlighted that “the project combines infrastructure development, medical–educational equipment and cadre training, all of which contribute to improving the quality of health services and extending their impact to all Syrian governorates.”
Sources differ on the identity of Hama’s governor who was present. Saudi Press Agency names Deputy Governor Muhammad Jihad Ta'ma, while a recent free release from Syria Weekly reported Abulrahman al‑Sahyan as the governor who laid the foundation stone. The discrepancy reflects the difficulty of coordinating names amid overlapping administrative titles.
While the CCMHE is in the early stages of construction, the initiative signals a broader partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Syrian state to rebuild crucial healthcare capacity after prolonged conflict. The project is a milestone in the continuing humanitarian efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid Center to support Syrian society with education and medical training.
