Ambulance Delivery Makes Urgent Health Care a Priority in Lebanon

As COVID-19 cases in Lebanon continue to soar, Medair has partnered with the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) to provide an ambulance to the Brital municipality in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley for emergency hospital transfers. This was made possible with the financial support of the European Union through the European Union Regional Trust Fund ‘MADAD’.

Lebanon is facing a series of compounding crises including a severe economic downturn, political instability, and the aftermath of the Beirut Blast, while COVID-19 has continued to put increasing pressure on the health infrastructure.

The community of Brital in Baalbek requires urgent health support, with the area recording the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country and intensive care units at capacity. The nearest ambulance was previously located over 30 minutes away, resulting in critical delays to people receiving emergency medical treatment.

“The addition of the ambulance to Brital will play a vital role in providing urgent health care assistance to over 20,000 people including Lebanese and refugees” says Anna Chilvers, Medair Lebanon Country Director. “We thank the Municipality, health centers, LOST and the European Union for coming together and working to make this ambulance a reality.”

“From a micro perspective it is solving people’s problems and tending to people’s needs who are greatly affected by the COVID-19. In the East of Baalbek area, there is no proper medical setting and this ambulance will help support the health clinics by providing immediate emergency response. Finally, this ambulance is a great example of a new model of partnership, in which both the international and national community come together for the good of the people” says Dr. Ramy Lakkis, LOST Founder and Director.

Medair supports five clinics in Central, West and North Bekaa to improve access to primary health care services. Medair supports the Social Development Centre clinics (run by the Ministry of Social Affairs) with human resources, medicines, equipment, capacity building and supportive supervision.

Medair’s health work in Lebanon is made possible with the financial support of the European Union through the European Union Regional Trust Fund ‘MADAD’, and Global Affairs Canada in partnership with Tearfund Canada.

For more information about Medair’s Lebanon programme, please click here.