Mohannad M. Alarqan

Dear colleagues,

I am a Jordanian health economics researcher currently developing a concept on expanding and rebuilding effective primary care capacity in conflict-affected and recovering Syrian settings under conditions of severe workforce scarcity. As a non-Syrian regional researcher, I do not intend to speak on behalf of Syrian communities or institutions. My aim is to open a careful academic discussion and connect with Syrian and German colleagues who may be able to challenge, refine, or co-develop the idea.

The concept draws inspiration from the historical design logic of the “barefoot doctor” model, but does not seek to replicate it. Instead, it explores a modern redesign based on structured task allocation, locally recruited community health extenders, telemedicine-enabled clinical supervision, referral safety, and continuous quality assurance.

A key element I am interested in discussing is a diaspora-linked tele-supervision layer, through which Syrian medical expertise based in Germany — potentially in collaboration with German health institutions — could support protocol development, remote mentoring, selected case review, continuing education, and knowledge transfer.

The aim is not to replace physicians or create a lower standard of care, but to extend safe and governed primary care capacity where conventional physician-centered recovery is too slow or difficult to scale.


I would be grateful for critical feedback, especially on this question: Under what governance, clinical, ethical, and institutional conditions could a diaspora-linked tele-supervision model contribute safely and meaningfully to strengthening primary care capacity in Syrian recovery contexts?
Best regards,
Dr. Mohannad M. Alarqan
Health Economics Researcher | Jordan