Beirut’s hospitals are ‘on the brink of disaster’

Dr Jihad Makkouk says series of crises and surge of Covid-19 has hammered Lebanon’s health system

Lebanon’s hospitals will soon be “unable to cope” amid a succession of crises exacerbated by the explosion at Beirut’s port that destroyed many healthcare facilities, the health ministry has warned.

Dr Jihad Makkouk, head of hospitals, dispensaries, and medical professions at the Ministry of Public Health, said a surge in Covid-19 cases, which has left more than 1,000 people dead in Lebanon, has left healthcare services on the brink.

“A drastic rise in Covid-19 infections has pushed Lebanon’s hospitals to the edge of disaster,” he told a webinar organised by the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to the reconstruction of Beirut’s hospitals.

Dr Makkouk said Lebanon’s financial crisis and the explosion “that hit the country to its core” were among the factors that meant medical supplies were dwindling. The Beirut blast in August killed more than 200 people and injured thousands.

“Lebanon’s healthcare system was already struggling before several hospitals were severely damaged by the catastrophic August 4 explosion of Beirut’s port,” he said.

The official said the ministry was working to increase bed capacity and sustain essential services, but "it is becoming extremely difficult to fight alone".

“Now all the hospitals across the country are reporting shortages in vital medical supplies and many are turning away non-critical cases to conserve resources.”

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  A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

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  Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

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  The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

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  The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP

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  The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

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  A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

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  The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

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  The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

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  The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

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  People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

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  The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP

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  The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

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  A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

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  A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg

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  Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

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  Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters

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  Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters

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  People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

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  The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou

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  Army personnel around entrance to port.

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  The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

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  The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

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  The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

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  The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

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  Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo

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  A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg

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  Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA

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  People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

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  An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters

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  Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images

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  A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images

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  Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters

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  Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo

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  People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

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  Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

Dr Makkouk said he hoped international support would help the country overcome the challenges that were resulting in Lebanese doctors and nurses leaving in their droves.

"Lebanon's hospitals, long considered among the best in the Middle East, are cracking under the country's financial crisis, struggling to pay staff, keep equipment running or even stay open with Covid-19 cases at unprecedented levels," he said.