Residents of Ras al-Ain, a city in northwest Hasakah, are expressing growing concerns over the exorbitant costs of dental care, which have become a significant financial strain for many seeking essential medical treatment. While the local currency is the Syrian pound, dental services are priced in U.S. dollars, ranging from $50 (approximately 750,000 Syrian pounds) to $150, depending on the severity of dental issues.
Given that daily wages for local workers typically hover between 80,000 and 100,000 Syrian pounds, many individuals find themselves unable to afford necessary treatments, forcing them to endure pain or resort to less expensive, and potentially risky, alternatives.
Khaled Malik, a market worker in Ras al-Ain, shared his predicament, stating he had to forgo dental treatment after learning that a filling for a broken tooth would cost him $55. He expressed feelings of helplessness due to the high costs, mentioning that his children also require dental care but he cannot afford their treatments either.
Similarly, Leila Murad visited a dentist only to discover she needed a filling for a missing tooth, with the quoted cost at $80. She admitted that she could not gather the necessary funds and has postponed the procedure until her financial situation improves.
In a bid for more affordable care, Samer Faisal from the nearby village of Aluk sought treatment at a local hospital, only to face overcrowded conditions and delays that prevented him from completing his dental care.
Many residents are opting for tooth extraction rather than treatment, as the high costs render the latter impractical. Some have turned to “traditional” methods, with mobile Bedouin practitioners offering extraction services at lower prices compared to private dental clinics.
According to Marwan Ali, a local dentist, the rising costs of dental care are driven largely by the high prices of treatment materials, many of which are imported and influenced by fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Syrian pound. He pointed out that the costs of anesthesia and manufacturing equipment have also increased significantly, contributing to the overall rise in dental treatment expenses.
An unnamed source from the Ras al-Ain Health Authority reported that the National Hospital provides free dental services to many residents, but the facility is under immense pressure, resulting in some dentists raising their treatment prices. The hospital, which operates with two full-time specialist dentists, treats between 70 to 150 patients weekly without charge.
However, the health authority is aware of the unsustainable pricing issues and plans to introduce regulations to align treatment costs with local income levels, ensuring that prices remain manageable for patients without compromising the viability for practitioners.
The Ras al-Ain National Hospital is the primary healthcare provider in the region, yet it struggles with insufficient medical staff and a lack of specialized professionals, further complicating the healthcare landscape for residents. Unlike areas in northern Aleppo, Ras al-Ain faces dire conditions that hinder support for the medical sector, likening it to a besieged environment.
Additionally, the city suffers from a significant shortage of ophthalmologists, forcing patients requiring eye examinations or surgeries to travel considerable distances, either to Turkey or to Tal Abyad, which is about 120 kilometers away.
Despite the risks of misdiagnosis, many residents still choose to self-diagnose by consulting pharmacies for pain relief and other medications, exacerbating their health challenges.
Ras al-Ain, located near the Turkish border and controlled by the Turkish-backed “Syrian National Army,” is surrounded by territories held by the “Syrian Democratic Forces,” leaving it with limited access to vital health services and support.
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