Rebuilding Healthcare From Within

A comprehensive initiative to strengthen physiotherapy education, infrastructure, and professional standards in Syria through sustainable capacity development and international collaboration.

About the Initiative

Syria's healthcare system has endured over a decade of conflict, severely compromising rehabilitation services. Thousands of civilians—including many with war-related injuries, disabilities, and chronic conditions—lack access to basic physiotherapy support. While local professionals continue to provide care with great resilience, many lack updated knowledge, equipment, or professional development opportunities.

This initiative seeks to establish a sustainable and scalable program to build local capacity in physiotherapy across Syria. Drawing from over 25 years of experience in physiotherapy and healthcare in Denmark—and rooted in a deep personal connection to Syria—this project leverages both professional expertise and cultural understanding to empower local health practitioners, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and rebuild a significant part of Syria's healthcare system.

The initiative focuses on equipping local physiotherapists with upscaled global-level training, tools, and resources, fostering peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and building a network that bridges Syrian physiotherapy professionals with Danish and international experts. By focusing on education, infrastructure, and community involvement, this initiative will create lasting change in the Syrian healthcare landscape, with a special focus on conflict-related injuries, disabilities, and rehabilitation needs.

Education & Training

Establishing accredited physiotherapy training programs that meet international standards, with focus on evidence-based techniques tailored to Syria's specific needs.

Infrastructure Development

Establishing new rehabilitation centers and refurbishing existing facilities to provide high-quality physiotherapy services and training spaces.

International Collaboration

Building partnerships between Syrian professionals and Danish and international experts for knowledge exchange and continuous learning

Program Objectives

This initiative is designed to create lasting impact through four interconnected objectives that address the immediate needs while building sustainable capacity for the future.

  • Strengthen Professional Competence
    Provide evidence-based training to physiotherapists in Syria via workshops, webinars, and digital learning platforms, ultimately achieving Europe-level accreditation
  • Establish Cross-Border Knowledge Network
    Facilitate partnerships between Danish and Syrian professionals to exchange skills, share best practices, and co-develop practical solutions
  • Support Local Infrastructure
    Identify and equip key physiotherapy centers with essential tools, training materials, and technical support
  • Enable Continuous Learning
    Launch an ongoing mentorship program pairing Syrian practitioners with experienced physiotherapists in Denmark and globally

Implementation Phases

The program is structured in carefully planned phases to ensure systematic capacity building and sustainable impact across Syria's physiotherapy sector. 

Program Buildup & Scoping

Establishing the foundation for the initiative through comprehensive needs assessment and partnership development:

  • Establish Program Management Unit in Damascus with local coordinators
  • Identify physiotherapy professionals and centers across Syria through existing networks
  • Partner with the Professional Association of Physiotherapists of Syria to evaluate current knowledge status and needs
  • Establish partnerships with World Physiotherapy, University of Copenhagen, Danish Physiotherapists Union, and specialized NGOs

Capacity Development & Knowledge Exchange

Implementing comprehensive training programs and establishing mentorship networks:

  • Develop and pilot training programs for physiotherapist practitioners at centers in Homs
  • Conduct hybrid (online and in-person) training sessions on modern techniques and practices
  • Connect Danish and global mentors to support peers in Syria
  • Host professional visits to Syria for direct knowledge exchange

Pilot Project: University of Homs Faculty Training

This pilot initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of physiotherapy faculty at the University of Homs through targeted professional development:

  • A selected group of faculty members engaged in specialized physiotherapy teaching will participate in the program.
  • Senior academic staff from the University of Copenhagen or the University of Southern Denmark will travel to Homs to conduct intensive, practice-oriented training.
  • Upon completion, participants will receive an official certificate of achievement issued by the Danish university.
  • The trained faculty will subsequently be responsible for cascading this knowledge to a wider group of physiotherapy practitioners within the university's network, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued professional growth.

Infrastructure & Resource support

Building physical capacity and providing essential resources for sustainable service delivery:

  • Procure and deliver essential physiotherapy tools and materials from Denmark
  • Establish new rehabilitation centers or refurbish existing facilities to offer high-quality services
  • Provide digital access to medical databases and training libraries in Arabic
  • Create spaces for both patient care and training of newly graduated physiotherapists

Long-Term Mentorship & Monitoring

Ensuring sustainability through ongoing support and systematic evaluation:

  • Establish permanent mechanism for pairing practitioners in Syria with international mentors
  • Create knowledge support dashboard for continuous learning and resource access
  • Collect impact data and feedback to continuously refine the program
  • Monitor progress and ensure alignment with international standards

Program Leader

Wael Al-Aani

Physiotherapist & Program Lead

Experienced physiotherapist and project leader with over 25 years of professional experience in Denmark and the Middle East. Specialized in clinical rehabilitation, physiotherapy education, and assistive technologies for people with disabilities.

As a Syrian-born professional based in Denmark, Wael combines extensive clinical expertise with deep cultural understanding of the Syrian context. His career spans leadership roles including founding Movement Special Needs in Dubai (serving UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar) and Made for Movement in Denmark, where he introduced innovative rehabilitation aids to the Danish healthcare market.

Currently serving as Board Member of the Danish Physiotherapists' Regional Board (Region Hovedstaden), Wael is ideally positioned to bridge Danish and Syrian healthcare systems. He holds a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy from VIA University College and is certified in advanced techniques including cervical and lumbar manipulation, shockwave therapy, and dry needling.

  • Board Member, Danish Physiotherapists' Regional Board
  • B.Sc. in Physiotherapy, VIA University College, Denmark
  • Fluent in Arabic, Danish, and English

Get in Touch

We welcome inquiries, partnership opportunities, and collaboration proposals. Reach out to learn more about the initiative or to get involved.

Contact Information

Connect with the project team for more information

  • Email
    info@syrianphysio.org 

Key Partners & Stakeholders

Organizations involved in this initiative

We are in the process of building dialogue and collaboration with several key institutions, including:

  • Professional Association of Physiotherapists of Syria
  • University of Homs, Faculty of Health Science
  • Danish Physiotherapists' Union
  • University of Copenhagen
  • World Physiotherapy
  • Syria Ministry of Health and Ministry of Higher Education

Partnership Opportunities

We are actively seeking partnerships with international healthcare organizations, educational institutions, funding agencies, and local healthcare facilities committed to healthcare development in Syria.

If your organization is interested in supporting this initiative through funding, expertise, equipment donation, or other forms of collaboration, please get in touch.