The healthcare sector in Lebanon has confronted distinctive operational challenges over the previous yr because the Israel-Hezbollah struggle escalated within the south and the Bekaa earlier than Israel started its bombardment of districts throughout Lebanon in September. Following the halting (or at the least the numerous discount) of the Israeli aggression towards Lebanon on November 26th, 2024, a number of sectors are dealing with repercussions in several points: operations, finance, and sustaining personnel whereas bolstering morale. Impacts on the healthcare sector have been grievous within the victimization of first responders and first healthcare facilities.
In keeping with the World Well being Group, the battle impacts of the previous 14 months particularly the interval from late September to late November affected 158 healthcare amenities, predominantly by aerial assaults. Between October 7th, 2023, and November 26th, 2024, 241 well being employees have been killed and 292 injured whereas on obligation. Hospitals in secure areas have been spared harm however all operational tertiary amenities within the healthcare sector have been inundated with sufferers whereas on the similar time dealing with shortages and provide bottlenecks —but sustaining operations, nonetheless.
Govt’s interview with Roula Zahar, deputy common director at Mount Lebanon Hospital College Medical Middle (MLHUMC), delves into the difficulties encountered by healthcare establishments, starting from operational disruptions and useful resource shortages to monetary instability and the implications of a liberalized healthcare system.
Govt: Are you able to inform me a bit in regards to the challenges you’ve confronted?
Zahar: It was very tough. We had unhealthy instances. The anxiousness was overwhelming, and the scenario created challenges in so some ways. However we managed to adapt and maintain going.
Govt: How has the disaster impacted hospital operations?
Zahar: Operations weren’t precisely halted. The work itself remained constant by way of delivering companies, however we needed to adapt considerably. A few of our employees misplaced their properties or couldn’t journey, so that they stayed on the hospital. We offered them with meals and lodging, which allowed us to proceed working. It was difficult, however we managed.
Govt: What about staffing? Have been there notable challenges in sustaining or regaining personnel?
Zahar: Completely. Some physicians left in the course of the disaster, and whereas a number of have returned, there’s at all times uncertainty about whether or not they’ll keep long-term. Retaining employees has been a big problem, together with addressing the problems of sources and medicine. Fortunately, we didn’t face crucial shortages, however there was at all times the worry of working out.
Govt: Did you face difficulties in acquiring specialised tools or supplies?
Zahar: Then there have been numerous challenges concerning remedy and sources. significantly with importing isotopes, chemical substances, and superior medical tools. It stays a significant problem to entry specialised remedies and supplies, and this situation persists. We didn’t run out of any particular remedy, however there have been rumors that we’d face shortages. Thankfully, that didn’t occur, however there was at all times this uncertainty: will we’ve sufficient remedy?
Govt: What about sufferers’ monetary conditions? How has that affected your operations?
Zahar: That’s been one of many greatest challenges. Many sufferers can’t pay their payments, particularly these with out insurance coverage. We needed to search assist from organizations, however the help wasn’t structured nicely. The absence of help from the Nationwide Social Safety Fund (NSSF) is a significant downside, as [the fund’s financial allocations] should not protecting a lot for sufferers. Insurers, too, aren’t cooperating adequately by way of pricing.
Govt: Has the federal government offered any assist throughout this time?
Zahar: In particular circumstances, sure, however not sufficient. For instance, they lined half of the prices for [procedures related to] the ‘pagers’ incident [Israel’s detonation of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to members of Hezbollah on September 17-18 that resulted in at least 35 deaths, including at least two deaths of young children, and over 3,000 injuries], however the general help stays insufficient. The NSSF is meant to play a crucial position, however it’s falling brief in protecting sufferers’ wants.
Govt: Given the monetary difficulties, is the sustainability of hospitals in danger?
Zahar: Sure, to some extent. The higher danger lies within the incapability to resume or keep tools. Working prices are decrease than the preliminary capital wanted to ascertain a hospital, however tools renewal is pricey. With out correct money movement or financing, sustaining high quality care will change into more and more tough.
Govt: Lebanon’s healthcare system is thought for its decentralized and liberal construction. Do you suppose this has been a bonus or a drawback?
Zahar: It’s each. On one hand, the liberal system meant we had extra tools than crucial, which allowed us to keep away from lengthy ready instances for procedures like MRIs. In Europe, you may wait six months for an MRI; in Lebanon, it may be performed in days. Nonetheless, this method has its prices, as hospitals must recuperate investments, which may drive up costs.
Govt: Do you consider there needs to be extra authorities regulation within the healthcare sector?
Zahar: Regulation is critical however needs to be minimal. The healthcare sector shouldn’t be like different industries. I consider in a liberal method and help the non-public sector, however extreme regulation may hurt the system’s effectivity.
Govt: Do you anticipate repercussions for hospitals [because of the war] even after the ceasefire?
Zahar: There may be at all times worry, however the non-public sector adapts rapidly. In the course of the struggle, non-public hospitals stepped in to supply care when public hospitals couldn’t. The Ministry of Well being has acknowledged our efforts. Nonetheless, we have to put together for potential future challenges.
Govt: Will hospitals begin implementing contingency plans for such conditions?
Zahar: We have already got contingency plans since folks’s lives rely on our work. Nonetheless, my principal concern is sustaining high quality care with diminished financing. If prices are blindly reduce, the sector will face severe issues.
Govt: Will employees reductions or wage cuts be crucial to keep up monetary stability?
Zahar: We hope not. As an alternative, we purpose to extend income by relying extra on authorities and insurance coverage funds quite than out-of-pocket funds from sufferers.
Govt: Are there any methods to extend revenues whereas sustaining accessibility?
Zahar: Sure, we’re advocating for higher insurance coverage protection and help from the federal government and NSSF. We’re additionally exploring low-cost insurance coverage schemes and collaborations with NGOs to assist cowl prices for sufferers.
Govt: Are NGOs taking part in a big position in supporting healthcare establishments?
Zahar: Sure, many NGOs are serving to people by protecting prices for sufferers. Some hospitals additionally obtain direct donations [from NGOs], however this isn’t the case for all hospitals.
Govt: Do you’ve got any closing ideas or feedback?
Zahar: It’s been a really powerful time [for the duration of the current war] however we proceed to adapt and do our greatest for our sufferers and employees.
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