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Lebanon: Conference on public health challenges
Première Urgence Internationale had the pleasure of organizing a conference on public health in Lebanon, an event that brought together three experts to analyze the multiple challenges facing the country.
Publié le 24/02/2025 | Temps de lecture : 4 min
As part of the SAQIRH project, a round-table brought together Pierre Micheletti, Ziad Majed and Kevin Charbel. Between institutional instability, economic crisis and deterioration of the healthcare system, their complementary insights aimed to help us better understand the current situation and future challenges in Lebanon.
Financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and supported by a consortium comprising Première Urgence Internationale, Amel Association International and Médecins du Monde, this program aims to strengthen access to healthcare for all vulnerable populations and improve the resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system.
A model of the complexity of the Middle East
For Pierre Micheletti, physician and humanitarian, former president of Médecins du Monde and Action Contre la Faim, Lebanon represents a concentration of the dynamics of the Middle East, where political and economic crises have a direct impact on the healthcare system.
While certain chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease were already priorities before the crisis, the flight of health professionals and the deterioration of public health infrastructures and mechanisms have exacerbated an already fragile situation.
Mr. Micheletti also presented a model for analyzing public health policies, stressing the need for convergence between the needs identified by experts, the expectations of the population and the responses provided by institutions. In Lebanon, however, this convergence has become virtually impossible due to instability and a lack of resources.
The economic and social situation has a direct impact on life expectancy. Indeed, access to healthcare can be hampered by structural obstacles of a geographical, financial, cultural or political nature. In some areas, getting to a medical center can be a hazard in itself, due to conflict or lack of transport. At the same time, the collapse of the banking system means that many Lebanese are unable to pay for treatment due to a lack of cash.
The political context: chronic crisis and fragile hope
Political scientist, university professor and Franco-Lebanese researcher Ziad Majed took stock of Lebanon’s political landscape, marked by decades of instability. He recalled that, since the country’s independence in 1943, Lebanon has oscillated between moments of crisis and hopes for renewal. This instability is partly rooted in a denominational political system. Added to this structural reality are regional crises, which have a direct impact on Lebanon’s domestic situation, and a major economic crisis.
Despite this difficult context, Professor Majed notes some encouraging signs: the formation of a government deemed competent and representative, the absence of an institutional deadlock thanks to a balance of political forces, the commitment of civil society players, and the prospect of municipal and parliamentary elections in the next few years.
The collapse of the Lebanese healthcare system
Given the reduction in international funding and the deterioration of its infrastructure, Lebanon is struggling to meet the needs of its already hard-hit population. Kevin Charbel, Première Urgence Internationale’s Head of Mission in Lebanon, underlined the intensity of the conflict, highlighting the extremely high number of air strikes (14,000 between September and December 2024), as well as attacks on civilian infrastructure.
It is particularly complex for humanitarian organizations to adapt to the rapid transition from peace to war, especially when the health centers they support are themselves targeted.
The war has exacerbated the crisis, making the reconstruction of health infrastructures essential. Major health risks exist, linked to the destruction of the healthcare system, but also to that of water and transport networks. Rebuilding the system requires a sustainable response that goes beyond the immediate emergency.
In this context, initiatives such as those of the SAQIRH project are essential to maintain access to healthcare for the most vulnerable, by strengthening primary healthcare services, guaranteeing affordable care, improved medical quality and systemic collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Between challenges and hopes: what does the future hold for Lebanon?
While the speakers highlighted the complexity of the interdependence between politics, economics and public health in Lebanon, they also spoke of signs of hope. Lebanon is at a crossroads: the resilience of civil society, solidarity projects and the efforts of international and local humanitarian actors show that it is possible to gradually restore a functional and accessible healthcare system.
