Visiting Lebanon, WHO Regional Director affirms support to address multiple health system challenges

7 April 2024, Beirut, Lebanon – WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy concluded a 2-day visit to Beirut, Lebanon, last week at a time when hostilities are escalating on Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.

An emergency drill to enhance the readiness of Sibline Governmental Hospital

4 March 2024 – From afar, it would seem like the ambulances rushing injured people to the Emergency Unit at Sibline Governmental Hospital, near the southern town of Saida, were working in the midst of a violent war. Fortunately, however, this was only a drill, successfully coordinated with relevant stakeholders such as the hospital staff, the Lebanese Red Cross, Sibline municipality, the Security General, and the local community.

The mass casualty management drill was part of preparations for any acute emergency with mass casualties that could affect Lebanon’s health system. This is part of hospital preparedness and readiness for mass casualties as organized by the Ministry of Public Health’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) with technical support from WHO.