RIYADH: The Syrian Expatriates Medical Association (SEMA) expressed its thanks on Monday to Saudi organizations and individuals for donating to the campaign to help Syrians affected by the ongoing conflict.

SEMA has 1,300 members in Syria and other countries whose main aim is to improve the health system in Syria both during and after the war.

“SEMA is a nonprofit organization registered in Turkey, France, Italy, Qatar, and we have branches in other countries. Our headquarters, though, is in Turkey,” said Husam Junaid, SEMA head for primary health care and member of the executive board.

Junaid said SEMA has a partnership with local organizations like the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) and the Physicians Across Continents under the Islamic Assistance Assembly.

“We have also received support from Prince Turki bin Talal who has been sympathetic with the sad plight of Syrians,” said Junaid, who’s also a doctor and internal medicine consultant at a local hospital in the Saudi capital.

Prince Turki is chairman of the Mentor Foundation and a personal representative of Prince Talal. He said that the medical association has received cash and in-kind donations such as medical equipment from the National Guard worth about $1 million.

“This includes ultrasound equipment, CT scanners, anesthesia machines and hospital beds which have been sent to Syria,” he said.