Caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad at a press conference at the Ministry, Bir Hassan, June 26, 2024. (Credit: Zeina Antonios/OLJ)
Caretaker Health Minister, Firas Abiad, assured on Wednesday that "the hospital sector is ready to face any emergency" about the threat of an expanded war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a press conference at the ministry where he outlined the measures implemented by his team.
Abiad asserted that all public and private hospitals are prepared in the event of an escalation of the conflict in Lebanon. "When the port explosions occurred, we treated 6,000 injured people in one night. We have proven what we are capable of," he added.
"We have distributed medicines and equipment to treat burns and injuries in several regions," Abiad further noted, stating that the ministry fully covers the treatment of those injured in the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. He also highlighted the recent inauguration of a specialized burn treatment unit at Nabatiyeh Governmental Hospital.
Almost daily clashes are occurring between Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon since October. The Israeli army has repeatedly used white phosphorus weapons, which cause fires, and Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that the widespread use of white phosphorus puts civilians at great risk and forces them to flee.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated in recent days, with increasingly virulent threats from both sides.
In this context, the minister announced the creation of a "call center equipped with wireless transmitters in case of internet outages, to coordinate with rescue teams." Additionally, "15 new government hospitals have recently been equipped with solar power to handle potential power cuts, while seven other facilities have been equipped with oxygen," he said.
For internally displaced persons, the ministry indicated that the 1787 hotline is available to report epidemic cases among the displaced. Moreover, 400 municipalities have been trained by the ministry on how to manage any outbreak.
Wahida Ghalayini, head of the emergency unit at the ministry, revealed that the department recently organized "training on treating people exposed to white phosphorus in 181 hospitals, involving 3,000 doctors and nurses, as well as civil defense and fire department members." Additionally, the health ministry has trained 1,800 nurses and 160 doctors in psychological support during emergencies and has provided equipment and medicines to numerous care centers across the country.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.