DAMASCUS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Syria's health minister said Thursday that the Syrian health sector is reeling under pressure from the U.S. sanctions.

Speaking at a press conference, Hassan al-Ghabbash stressed that the suffering of the Syrian medical sector is not a result of the recent massive earthquake that hit the country on Monday but rather the Western sanctions imposed on Syria for 12 years.

He also stated that the death toll from the earthquake rose to 1,347 and the injuries to 2,295.

Al-Ghabbash stressed that from the first moments of the earthquake, the Syrian Health Ministry's emergency room was mobilized to coordinate the response and send ambulances, mobile clinics, and supply trucks to the most affected provinces.

The hospitals and health centers are working at their maximum capacity to provide medical services, he said, adding that one of the most important priorities and challenges is to continue to provide health services in shelters and to prepare for any emergency.

"We are determined to provide services to Syrian citizens despite all the circumstances and challenges, and the Syrian state has largely succeeded," he said.

Al-Ghabbash added that the shortfall caused by Western sanctions would be made up through the concerted efforts of private sector institutions, trade unions, non-governmental organizations and civil society.

The minister called on the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international organizations to provide assistance to Syria to deal with the disaster.