177,000 Syrian babies in Turkish healthcare system

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

AFP photo

Some 177,000 babies born to Syrian parents are currently in the Turkish healthcare system, according to new data from the Health Ministry.

According to the ministry, children between 0-5 years old received vaccinations.  

In addition, over 20.2 million ambulance journeys were taken by Syrian nationals inside and outside refugee camps since 2011. According to ministry figures, between April 29, 2011, and Sept. 30 of this year, over 967,000 Syrian people received in-patient treatment. Around 800,000 Syrian nationals have been operated on in Turkish hospitals, the data added.        

The authorities said refugees also underwent screening for illnesses including malaria and tuberculosis. Medicines were supplied free of charge.        

Turkey hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world, and so far has spent more than more than $20 billion to $25 billion on their care, according to Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.      
  
Syria has remained locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011. Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to U.N. figures.