What Syrian doctors mean for Germany's healthcare system | Focus on Europe

Key Concepts:

• Syrian Doctors in Germany
• Healthcare System Strain
• Voluntary Return Debate
• Integration and Belonging
• Rebuilding Syria
• Migration Policy

Syrian Doctors: An Indispensable Part of Germany's Healthcare System

The presence of approximately 7,000 physicians from Syria is currently vital to the functioning of Germany's healthcare system. These doctors contribute significantly, with one doctor estimating they treat over 1,000 surgical patients annually. The potential return of even half of these physicians to Syria would undoubtedly lead to substantial negative consequences for Germany's healthcare infrastructure. This situation places many Syrian doctors in a difficult position, feeling needed in both their new home and their country of origin, which they wish to help rebuild.

The Dilemma of Return: Personal Stories and Political Discourse

The ongoing political debate in Germany regarding the return of Syrian refugees has prompted a painful question for these doctors: "Are we still welcome here?" The video highlights the experiences of two such doctors, Amar Jabura and Basel al-Sed, residing in different German cities.

• Amar Jabura (Kuken):

  • Fled Syria in 2013 after participating in protests against former President Bashar al-Assad, leading to his arrest.
  • Obtained a visa for Germany due to his qualifications and story, establishing a new life as a respected eye doctor.
  • Expresses a strong connection to his work and patients but feels increasingly unwelcome in Germany due to recurring, generalizing, and nuanced migration debates.
  • He feels like a "second-class German" despite holding a German passport.
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's statement that Syrians could return home now that the war is over has amplified this unease, drawing criticism even from within Scholz's own party. Scholz stated, "The civil war in Syria is over. Syria needs all its strength and above all Syrians to rebuild. And that's why there will certainly be many who now leave the country voluntarily."
  • Amar, as a German citizen, would not be directly affected by deportation decisions.
  • A recent visit to Damascus for a medical conference revealed the dire conditions in Syria: large areas lacking water, electricity, or hospitals, and completely destroyed, uninhabitable cities. This firsthand experience makes a voluntary return impossible for him at this stage.

• Basel al-Sed (Berlin):

  • An oral surgeon who moved to Germany in 2003 and has not returned to Syria since the civil war began.
  • Criticizes Chancellor Scholz's statements, viewing them as an attempt to gain votes that fuels hatred and rising right-wing extremism. He believes Scholz is making "mistake after mistake."
  • Serves as the vice chair of the Association of German Syrian Aid Organizations.
  • Differentiates between two groups of Syrians affected by the return debate:
    • New refugees: Fearful because they have nothing to return to, having left all possessions behind to seek a better life in Germany.
    • Established individuals: Like himself, who might wish to return but have other fears.

Impact on Germany's Healthcare and Critical Infrastructure

The departure of Syrian doctors would have "very serious negative consequences locally and in small towns and rural areas." The video emphasizes that the impact extends beyond doctors, as many Syrians are employed in nursing, other healthcare professions, and critical infrastructure sectors.

Contributions and Hopes for the Future

Despite the personal challenges, doctors like Amar are actively seeking ways to contribute to Syria's rebuilding. He is organizing a second conference and a humanitarian mission to perform free surgeries for over 100 patients in southern Syria, funded by donations in Germany.

Both Amar and Basel hope for a constructive and fair debate on migration in Germany, which would allow them and others like them to feel a true sense of belonging.