Development continues in many fields in Rojava and Northern Syria and some of it is in the health sector. 85 members of the Union of Pharmacists formed a medicine co-operative called Zanîn in order to prevent the selling of expired medicines. Each of them participated with 100,000 SYP [Syrian Pounds].
Since the start of the revolution, the people in Northern Syria have made long strides in social organisation and in setting up communes and co-operatives. Communal life and participation in the democratic nation is a new experiment in Rojava. This engaged way of life is manifested through communes and co-operatives, which have been established in Rojava under the most difficult circumstances.
We will solve these problems through co-operatives
Loqman Abdulla, a co-ordinator at Zanîn Co-operative who has been a dentist for 30 years, left his job in 2012 and joined the activities of the communes and co-operatives. Abdulla talked about the problems in securing medicines and the aim of the co-operative. He said, “The reason for the shortage of some medicines is most likely that the traders hide them to sell later at higher prices, and that has a very negative impact on people’s lives. We’re trying to solve this problem through this co-operative, and we’re also trying to develop it, because the co-operatives are the foundation of communal life.”
Abdul Baqi Abdul Salam, another co-ordinator at Zanin Co-operative, said, “The co-operatives belong to the people and this strengthens the spirit of participation throughout society. We have formed this co-operative for the health of the people, and to prevent the sale of expired medicines.”
