A three-day radiology conference opened in Damascus on Thursday, bringing together medical specialists to discuss rebuilding Syria’s diagnostic imaging services, expanding the use of artificial intelligence and strengthening healthcare training.
The Syrian Radiology Conference 2026, held at the National University Hospital in Damascus, is organized by the Syrian Radiologists Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Union of Syrian Doctors and Pharmacists in France.
The conference features scientific presentations, expert discussions and practical workshops focused on restoring and modernizing radiology services across the country.
Artificial intelligence and early diagnosis
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi highlighted the growing importance of radiology in modern healthcare, describing it as an essential tool for detecting diseases and guiding clinical decisions.
He said advances in artificial intelligence are transforming medical imaging by helping specialists analyze scans, detect diseases earlier and improve diagnostic accuracy.
Al-Halabi stressed that technology should ultimately serve patients and improve healthcare quality.
Rebuilding expertise alongside infrastructure
The minister said rebuilding Syria’s radiology sector requires more than replacing outdated or damaged equipment.
He identified specialized training, professional development, applied research and digital diagnostic systems as key priorities, alongside stronger quality standards and radiation safety measures.
Al-Halabi also called for university hospitals to play a greater role in medical education, research and innovation, alongside patient care.
“We want our university hospitals to be centers of treatment, beacons of knowledge, incubators of innovation, and national references for education, research and advanced medicine,” he said.
The minister emphasized that Syria’s healthcare recovery must go beyond restoring damaged infrastructure to building a medical system capable of keeping pace with international scientific and technological advances.
The conference will continue with scientific sessions and specialized workshops addressing the challenges and priorities of modernizing the country’s medical imaging sector.
