Lebanon’s health service near collapse with case numbers beyond ‘wildest predictions’

Lebanon’s health service near collapse with case numbers beyond ‘wildest predictions’

The head of Lebanon's main coronavirus hospital has said the country's health system is close to collapse - with not enough beds, drugs, oxygen, ventilators or staff.In a stark interview with Sky News, Dr Firas Abiad said the government decision to relax coronavirus restrictions over a few fateful days at Christmas and New Year has led to a huge increase in cases and deaths over the past few weeks.

He allowed our cameras into the casualty department and the intensive care unit of the Rafic Hariri University Hospital in Beirut to see the pressure he and his staff are under.Dr Abiad said all hospitals were reporting full, or almost full, intensive care units - and many have patients stuck in emergency wards, waiting for a bed.

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Dr Abiad said the government has thrown the healthcare system 'into an abyss'