Improvement of nurses� skills and working conditions

The project is designed as a pilot experience to enhance the nursing profession in Syria, mobilize key stakeholders and generate a long term dynamic of skills improvement within this profession.

There are approximately 36,000 nurses in Syria, who suffer from poor working conditions (low salaries, long working hours, bad training and lack of definition of their role) and the general inconsideration of their profession among the medical staff, the patients, and the population. Part of this situation relies on the weakness of the health sector in the country, which has to face the challenge of an increasing population and insufficient hospital capacities. The Ministry of Health committed to strengthening the health sector and is aware of the role nurses can play to improve the quality of health services in hospitals.

The project is run by the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD), which is a non-governmental organisation created in 1988 to implement international solidarity projects in developing countries. IECD's mission is to provide appropriate skills to men and women in order for them to play an active and responsible role in the development of their countries.

The Addax Foundation contributes to the following 3 specific objectives:

design and implement in-service continuous vocational training to nurses in 4 private and public hospitals in Damascus;
design and implement initial vocational training for nurse supervisors in specialised schools (called "Ecoles des cadres");
involve health professionals in the improvement of nurses' skills and working conditions.

During the 3 years of implementation, the direct beneficiaries of this project are:

200 nurses in 3 pilot private hospitals,
165 nurses in 1 pilot public hospital,
25 nurse supervisors in the 4 pilot hospitals.

Furthermore, this action indirectly promotes the profession in general and encourages its integration within the health system and the Syrian society.

Location	Damascus Syria
Objective	Strengthen and promote the nurse profession in private and public hospitals
How	By supporting the Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD)