MEDEVAC Programme in Lebanon
In terms of migration, Lebanon is a very significant partner for the EU because it hosts the largest number of refugees per capita in its territory. Among the 6.5 million residents, there are approximately 1.5 million refugees, mostly from Syria and Palestine but also, for example, from Iraq, Iran and North Africa. Such a high number of refugees puts a considerable strain on Lebanon’s infrastructure, including the healthcare infrastructure.
Moreover, Lebanon has been experiencing a deep crisis since autumn 2019: an economic, financial, political and social crisis. As a result of this crisis, already more than a half of Lebanon’s population are below the poverty line. Although the Lebanese used private physicians abundantly in the past, and therefore most healthcare capacities are found in the private healthcare system, most people now are turning to public hospitals. As a result, these are now under a lot of pressure because they lack staff, equipment and funding.
MEDEVAC has been operating in Lebanon since 2016 when it provided medical devices and supplies to healthcare centre in the Bekaa Valley in cooperation with ADRA International. In 2019, a medical team was sent to Lebanon for the first time; this team consisted of ophthalmology specialists. They focus on cataract surgeries for that segment of population who would otherwise be unable to afford treatment. The Programme thus not only helps to provide a qualified care in this country where health care is very costly but also helps reduce the strain on the Lebanese healthcare system.