Little patient, big care

“We’re relieved to know what’s wrong and that he’s getting the treatment he needs,” Hassan’s parents shared after the consultation with the pediatrician.

After years of compounding crises – most recently intensified by the war – communities in the Bekaa Valley are struggling to access quality healthcare services. Refugees and vulnerable Lebanese families, already burdened by poverty, displacement, and a strained healthcare system, are among the worst affected.

Three-year-old Hassan came with his parents and younger brother, Ahmad, to a Medair-supported primary healthcare centre in the Bekaa Valley.  

After four days of illness and a severe cough the night before, his parents knew he needed medical care.

While waiting for their examination, Hassan and Ahmad played outside under their mother’s watchful eye. Hassan’s dry, persistent cough echoed in the background. Their father waited inside the centre until it was their turn to bring the boys in. Unlike his younger brother Ahmad, Hassan seemed low on energy. His mother gently reminded him to relax. I approached Hassan’s mother and introduced myself. During our brief conversation, Hassan’s mother shared that the cough had been keeping the family up at night and that Hassan had barely been eating. He was complaining of pain while swallowing.  

At first, they thought it was just a mild cold, so they gave Hassan tea and encouraged him to rest. However, the night before their visit, his cough worsened, and he was crying from the pain. “We were really worried when we heard him coughing through the night,” his mother shared. “We didn’t want to take any chances, so we brought him to the centre first thing in the morning.”

At the start of the check-up, the paediatrician introduced himself and asked Hassan’s parents a series of routine questions to help identify the symptoms of his illness, while observing his overall appearance, behaviour, and activity level. After asking about his cough, sore throat, and eating habits, the paediatrician quickly got to work.  

As part of the examination, he conducted a thorough physical assessment. He checked Hassan’s throat for signs of redness, swelling, or patches that might indicate infection. He examined the ears and nose for congestion and listened to Hassan’s chest for any abnormal breathing sounds like wheezing. Finally, he gently pressed Hassan’s abdomen to check for tenderness or organ enlargement and inspected his skin for rashes or other signs of infection.

After this careful examination, the paediatrician diagnosed Hassan with tonsillitis, a common infection of the throat in children, caused by viruses or bacteria. It makes the tonsils swollen and painful, often leading to fever, sore throat, and trouble swallowing. While it can sound worrying, treatment can range from supportive care such as rest and fluids to medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen – readily available at the health centre pharmacy.  

With some reassuring words, he handed them a prescription and reminded them that plenty of rest paired with the prescribed medication would help Hassan recover more quickly and comfortably.  

“We’re relieved to know what’s wrong and that he’s getting the treatment he needs,” his parents shared after the consultation.

This careful approach ensures that children like Hassan receive timely, effective care, even in underserved areas where families often struggle with many challenges, particularly financial ones. Importantly, the medications prescribed for Hassan were provided free of charge at the on-site pharmacy, easing the burden on his family.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, including Radiohjälpen and the German Federal Foreign Office, and in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health and LM International, Medair supports primary health care centres across Lebanon, ensuring communities have access to quality care and better overall health.

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Medair's work in Lebanon is possible with funding from The German Federal Foreign Office (AA), Swiss Development Cooperation through Interaction-CH,  Radiohjalpen and LM International, Lebanon Humanitarian Hub (LHF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), USAID and the generous support of the American People and generous private donors.

This content was produced with resources gathered by Medair field and headquarters staff. The views expressed herein are those solely of Medair and should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of any other organisation.

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