Refugees in Lebanon access health services through hospitals, primary health care centres, and mobile health services.
In 2023, UNHCR and partners subsidized the cost of 118,731 Primary Health Care consultations to refugees and other vulnerable groups including specialized mental health consultations in 11 health facilities. On the Referral Health Care (RHC) level, in 2023, UNHCR supported 60,353 hospital admissions, of which 57.8 % were related to pregnancy and childbirth.
UNHCR continues to partner with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to strengthen the health system and reinforce response capacity. In 2023, 33 hospitals were contracted by UNHCR under the referral health care programme which extended support to the overall hospital strengthening in the country. Out of the contracted hospitals, UNHCR supported 10 hospitals with medical equipment, supplies, and PPEs.
Throughout the year, UNHCR ensured coordination with MoPH, UN agencies and NGOs for refugees’ access to health services. Essential support was extended to Epidemiologic Surveillance Unit (ESU) of MoPH through Rapid Response Teams. Health related information was disseminated to refugees with communication on access to the services and any changes implemented in service provision during the year.
UNHCR played an active role in response to outbreaks and pandemics in Lebanon. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNHCR enhanced the Lebanese Health Care System capacity through extensive support to 13 hospitals with donations of advanced medical equipment, supplies, medications, and Protective Personal Equipment (PPEs). UNHCR also donated diesel to 18 hospitals, took part in the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign through mobile vaccination units, and rehabilitated two PHC centers for COVID-19 vaccination in rural areas of Bekaa and North.
For Cholera outbreak response, UNHCR undertook construction works to convert UNHCR COVID-19 facilities into a cholera treatment center in Halba and Tripoli Governmental hospitals. The agency also dispatched emergency stock of medicines and supplies to responding hospitals, and distributed hygiene kits and provided flash chlorination in key communities. In February 2023, UNHCR completed the Oral Cholera Vaccination Campaign which extended from November 2022. The campaign was implemented in collaboration with partners and UN agencies under the patronage of Ministry of Public Health. By the end of the project, UNHCR administered more than 1.14 million doses to residents of high-risk areas. To enhance the capacity of the Lebanese Health Care System, UNHCR supported the MoPH with Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) kits and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) as Contingency Stock for Communicable Disease Preparedness and Response.
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