Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Rebuilding Syria’s Healthcare System with Dr. Aref Rifai of SAMS
Mar 4, 2026
Dr. Aref Rifai, an ophthalmologist and president of the Syrian American Medical Society who leads medical relief and rebuilding in Syria. He discusses expanding care across all provinces. He talks about launching centers like radiation oncology and cardiac care. He highlights scaling hospitals, strengthening medical education, and partnerships with U.S. health systems.
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SAMS Rapid Geographic Expansion After Liberation
- SAMS expanded from northwest Syria to operate across all 13 Syrian provinces after Syria's liberation, dramatically increasing service reach.
- Pre-liberation SAMS delivered ~3 million services annually in 13 hospitals; post-liberation activity has quadrupled as geography opened up.
SAMS Transition From Education To Humanitarian Leadership
- SAMS evolved from an educational society into a major humanitarian actor trusted by donors like USAID and UN during the Syrian revolution.
- The group provided field hospitals and UN testimony about chemical weapon attacks in places like Khan Sheikhoun.
Prioritize Training And Centers Of Excellence
- Prioritize elevating clinical quality, strengthening medical education, and creating centers of excellence to rebuild national healthcare.
- SAMS targets training residents, expanding workforce, and offering advanced services like cochlear implants and retina surgery.