Challenges of providing healthcare worker education and training in protracted conflict: a focus on non-government controlled areas in north west Syria

Table 1 This table summarizes the main activities of the public sector, private sector, NGOs and international organisations which support undergraduate and postgraduate health HCW education

	Main Undergraduate Actors	Explanation	Main Postgraduate Actors	Explanation
Public Sector	Free Aleppo University	Courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing available	Syrian Board of Medical Specialties	Provides post-graduate training programs to physicians; aim is to support non-physician training in future. Activities impeded by lack of funding, recognition and accreditation.
Public Sector	Idlib University	Courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing available	Syrian Board of Medical Specialties
Private Sector	Various providers e.g. Al-Hayat University of Medical Sciences, North Syria Private University, Al-Shamal Private University	Courses in Medicine, Nursing provided. Poor regulation	No information available	No information available
Non-governmental organisations	Several including: UOSSM, SEMA, SAMS, HIHFAD	Mainly non-physician courses.	Several including: UOSSM, SEMA, SAMS, HIHFAD, Syria Relief, SRD	Mostly short course updates in person or via tele-education. Length varies from 2 to 3 days to longer programs. Includes training the trainers programs.
Non-governmental organisations	Several including: UOSSM, SEMA, SAMS, HIHFAD	Different training models including conversion courses and undergraduate courses. Unregulated.
International Organisations	Nil	Nil	WHO. UNFPA	Mainly CPD courses and updates e.g. on infection prevention and control or mhGAP

Abbreviations: UOSSM Union of Syrian Medical Societies, SEMA Syrian Expatriate Medical Association, SAMS Syrian American Medical Society, HIHFAD Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, SRD Syria Relief and Development, mhGAP mental health Gap Action Program