In Lebanon, hospitals and the health care sector have become the front and centre of attention—and an imminent target—following the most recent bout of violence due to heavy clashes in southern Lebanon between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.
The country’s health ministry said that 34 hospitals have been damaged by Israeli strikes, leaving thousands of Lebanese in health care limbo in the midst of war, when every bed in a medical unit counts, like at Mount Lebanon Hospital and the American University of Beirut Medical Centre, two of Beirut’s largest hospitals.
Over 3,500 Lebanese have died in Israeli strikes, the country’s health ministry said, and 15,000 were injured in the 14th month of the Israel-Hezbollah battleground—which is part of Israel-Hamas war focusing on the Gaza Strip, but long spread across the region.
“You cannot put a price on humanity. I have never been able to turn down a patient. No matter where they come from or what they have done,” said Dr Mikhael Gharios, a Maronite Catholic, who founded Mount Lebanon Hospital in 1995.
The hospital now includes over 800 medical professionals and is widely recognised as one of the most advanced hospitals in Beirut.
For doctors and nurses, dealing with trauma and death have become a part of everyday life during times of war, said Dr Salah Zeineldine, chief medical officer at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre.