Syrian children with Down syndrome get therapy in Turkey

SANLIURFA, Turkey

Syrian children with Down syndrome are getting treatment in a newly established rehabilitation center in Turkey's southeastern Sanliurfa province.

The physical therapy and rehabilitation center, which opened this week in Sanliurfa's Haliliye district with the financial support of Syrian businesspeople, is providing education to 40 children.

Amir Isreydi, a director of the center, told Anadolu Agency the children could not get therapy in their country due to the civil war there.

Isreydi said they "are trying to provide training that will enable them to walk and stand in a balanced way." They are able to monitor the development of children’s talent and skills, he added.

Helin Isbusad, a therapist in the center, said that the children's morale and motivational are very high. "They are excited to be here and very eager to learn something new."

Turkey is home to some 3 million Syrian refugees who have taken shelter after fleeing the war at home.

Syria has remained locked in a vicious civil war since 2011. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed by the conflict and millions more displaced, according to UN figures.

Reporting by Rauf Maltas:Writing by Ilker Girit