Lebanon's Healthcare On The Brink: WHO Reports Surge In Hospital Attacks

The healthcare system in Lebanon is facing an unprecedented crisis as violence and conflict escalate in the region. Since the hostilities between Israel and Lebanon flared up again on September 17, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 23 separate attacks on healthcare services across Lebanon. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 72 individuals and caused injuries to 43, affecting both patients and healthcare workers. The consequences are dire, with hospitals struggling to maintain essential services amid widespread violence and resource depletion.

Healthcare Infrastructure Under Attack

Lebanon's healthcare system, already weakened by years of economic instability and previous conflicts, is now at breaking point. Of the 23 verified attacks, 15 targeted healthcare facilities directly, and 13 were aimed at health transport services. Hospitals, clinics, and ambulances have become collateral damage in the intensifying conflict. This has exacerbated the existing challenges faced by healthcare providers who are already overstretched and understaffed.

The healthcare infrastructure in Lebanon is fragile, with many facilities operating on minimal resources. Hospitals are struggling to provide care as medical supplies are running low, and the exhaustion of healthcare workers has reached critical levels. Amidst the chaos, essential services are being disrupted, leaving many in need of medical attention without access to care. The situation is particularly dire for those requiring specialized treatments such as cancer care and dialysis, as hospitals are being forced to shut down or evacuate.

Rising Hospital Closures Amid Bombardment

In conflict-affected areas, particularly in southern Lebanon, healthcare facilities are being forced to close at an alarming rate. Out of 207 primary healthcare centres and dispensaries in these regions, 100 have shut down due to security concerns and structural damage. Intense bombardments and growing insecurity have made it impossible for many hospitals to remain operational. As of now, five hospitals have been fully evacuated, and an additional five have been partially evacuated.

These closures have had a cascading effect on the remaining operational hospitals. Cancer patients, dialysis patients, and others in need of critical care have been transferred to facilities that are already overwhelmed. Dialysis centres, for instance, are now running additional shifts to accommodate the influx of patients. However, these centres are severely under-resourced, struggling to manage essential blood testing and other critical medical procedures with insufficient supplies and staff.

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The Toll on Healthcare Workers

Lebanon's healthcare workers are at the forefront of this crisis, and the mounting pressure is taking a significant toll. With medical supplies dwindling and personnel stretched thin, the healthcare workforce is battling exhaustion. The constant threat of violence and attacks on healthcare facilities further compounds their challenges. Many health workers are finding it increasingly difficult to continue their work, as the risk to their safety grows by the day.

The WHO, in collaboration with Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, is working to address some of these challenges by providing critical support. However, as Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasizes, the most pressing need is an immediate ceasefire to prevent further attacks on healthcare facilities and allow the system to recover.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The ongoing conflict is not only a threat to Lebanon’s healthcare system but is also fueling a broader humanitarian crisis. Thousands of injured people are seeking medical care, but the already strained health services are unable to meet the growing demand. The loss of healthcare infrastructure and the shortage of medical supplies are preventing entire communities from accessing essential services. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with chronic conditions, are at particular risk as health facilities become increasingly inaccessible.

International Response and the Call for a Ceasefire

The international community, led by organizations such as the WHO, is calling for urgent action to prevent the complete collapse of Lebanon’s healthcare system. WHO is working around the clock to fill critical gaps in healthcare provision, providing support where it can to ensure the continuity of services. However, these efforts are only temporary solutions to a growing problem. The most immediate need, according to health officials, is for an end to the violence.

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Dr Balkhy has stressed the urgency of the situation: "Attacks on healthcare debilitate health systems and impede their ability to continue to perform. They also prevent entire communities from accessing health services when they need them the most." The people of Lebanon need peace to rebuild their healthcare system, and without an immediate ceasefire, the situation will continue to deteriorate.

Bottomline

Lebanon’s healthcare system is teetering on the edge of collapse due to the ongoing conflict and the targeting of healthcare facilities. With hospitals being forced to close, medical supplies running low, and healthcare workers overwhelmed, the country is facing a humanitarian disaster. Urgent international action is needed to prevent further loss of life and restore access to essential healthcare services. An immediate ceasefire is crucial to ensure that healthcare workers can continue their lifesaving efforts and that Lebanon’s health system can begin the long road to recovery.