4 August 2025, Beirut, Lebanon – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy has concluded a 3-day – from 23 to 25 July 2025 – official visit to Lebanon. Dr Balkhy met with national authorities, health workers, civil society actors and international partners and witnessed firsthand the profound challenges facing the Lebanese health system.
At the heart of the mission was a call for increased domestic and international investment in health as Lebanon navigates multiple overlapping crises, including economic collapse, protracted conflict and one of the highest refugee burdens per capita globally.
“The health sector has shown remarkable resilience – but the needs are vast and growing,” said Dr Balkhy. “Trauma care, mental health services, essential medicines and rehabilitation and assistive products for persons with disabilities are in urgent demand.”
Dr Balkhy held high-level meetings with the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the First Lady, the Minister of Public Health and the Minister of Finance to discuss Lebanon’s most pressing health priorities. These include pharmaceutical security, cancer care, substance use treatment and the urgent need to reinforce health governance and sustainable financing mechanisms.
She also participated in the launch of the WHO–Lebanon Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2029, a joint roadmap developed with the Ministry of Public Health. The Strategy aims to strengthen health security, drive system recovery and reform and address both social and environmental determinants of health.
“We have a narrow but critical window of opportunity before needs escalate further and the consequences of inaction become irreversible,” Dr Balkhy warned. “Smart investment, international solidarity and a commitment to public health from the ground up could still turn the tide.”
While acknowledging progress made, Dr Balkhy emphasized the urgent need to close funding gaps. Currently, less than half of the health-related needs outlined in the 2025 Lebanon Response Plan are funded, with an even more uncertain outlook for 2026. She appealed to donors and partners to sustain and expand their support.
In visits to health care facilities in the Beirut suburban area and in meetings with frontline staff Dr Balkhy commended the resilience and dedication of Lebanese health workers who serve in extremely challenging and resource-limited conditions.
WHO remains fully committed to strengthening Lebanon’s national health system, supporting recovery efforts and ensuring access to essential services for all, especially the most vulnerable.
