Mar 13 • 15:11 UTC 🇫🇷 France France24

Mideast war puts Lebanon's patients and hospitals at risk

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has severely impacted healthcare in Lebanon, with many hospitals shutting down and rising dangers for patients seeking treatment.

As the escalation of conflict in the Middle East continues, the situation in Lebanon has grown increasingly dire, particularly for patients reliant on medical care. The ongoing bombing campaigns conducted by Israel have forced many hospitals to close their doors, with only a few healthcare facilities still operational to serve the population's needs. This dramatic decrease in available healthcare resources has placed immense pressure on the remaining institutions, which are struggling to manage the influx of patients while ensuring safety for both staff and patients amid the violence.

One such facility is the Sacré-Cœur hospital located near Beirut. Amidst the challenges, the hospital is doing its utmost to prepare staff to handle potentially devastating situations as they navigate the reality of operating under a wartime context. Patients who rely on regular treatments, such as dialysis, face significant risks when traveling to receive care. For many, like an elderly patient named Jean, taking the trip to the hospital not only poses a threat from the conflict but also raises concerns regarding the availability of medical treatment when they arrive.

The implications of this conflict extend beyond immediate health concerns; they also highlight critical gaps in Lebanon's healthcare infrastructure, raising questions about the larger systemic issues that have been exacerbated by this crisis. As the region confronts an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, the plight of the sick and vulnerable in Lebanon underscores the urgent need for international concern and assistance in addressing the dire healthcare situation that many patients face during this time of turmoil.

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