Lebanon’s healthcare on brink of collapse amid crisis, says minister – Reuters

Lebanon’s healthcare on brink of collapse amid crisis, says minister – Reuters

BEIRUT, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Lebanon's healthcare system is crumbling amid an economic crisis that has led to an exodus of thousands of doctors and nurses, forced private hospitals to close some departments and put further strains on the already stretched state sector.

"If this crisis goes on for long without solutions we will of course come closer to a great collapse," Health Minister Firass Abiad told Reuters this week.

Lebanon's economy has been in freefall since 2019 and its currency has lost more than 90% of its value, driving much of the nation into poverty and pushing healthcare professionals and others to head abroad for work.