3 November 2023 — The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) launched the enlargement of its intervention to ship lifesaving care to newborns throughout governmental hospitals. In partnership with UNICEF by way of funding from the Korean authorities, the intervention goals to take away monetary obstacles that hindered weak newborns and kids’s entry to hospitalizations within the neonatal and pediatric intensive care models.

The partnership may also help public hospitals by offering them with lifesaving commodities and provides to make sure the continual supply of important healthcare companies. he contribution

may also cowl out-of-pocket expense for lifesaving hospitalizations in NICUs and PICUs, in chosen governmental hospitals, particularly Rafic Hariri University Hospital, Karantina University Hospital, Orange Nassau Governmental Hospital, Nabatieh Governmental Hospital, Tripoli Governmental University Hospital, Halba Governmental Hospital and Baalbeck Governmental Hospital. Vulnerable households shall be recognized by way of a social vulnerability evaluation instrument administered by skilled social employees and 150 admissions shall be subsequently lined.

“In the midst of a financial crisis that has engulfed our nation; the importance of this project cannot be overstated. It is a beacon of hope, signalling that no challenge is too great when it comes to the health and welfare of our children. This initiative stands as a testament to the unyielding spirit of global solidarity, embodied by the generous support of the Republic of South Korea and the unwavering dedication of UNICEF”, mentioned H.E Dr. Firass Abiad Minister of Public Health.

The minister emphasised on the significance of Public hospitals in Lebanon saying that: “they are more than just healthcare facilities; they are pillars of resilience, providing critical care amidst resource constraints. The professionals within these institutions exemplify dedication and service, ensuring that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right accessible to all”.

New funding from the Republic of Korea may also guarantee the supply of important pediatric acute medicines in main healthcare centres to keep away from any provide rupture and permit well timed entry to acute remedies for kids and moms.

“With this year’s contribution, we will continue to support primary and secondary healthcare system so as to ease the burden on Lebanon’s health sector and to strengthen access to healthcare for high-risk children and for vulnerable families,” mentioned H.E. Mr IL Park, Korean Ambassador to Lebanon.

“UNICEF is committed to address critical gaps in healthcare access and sustain its lifesaving support for mothers and children in Lebanon,” mentioned Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon. “Through the sustained generous support from the Republic of Korea, we are able to expand efforts to reach more vulnerable regions and additional hospitals especially in Baalbek and Akkar”.

Last 12 months’s help from the Republic of Korea lined the hospitalization of 124 admissions for 118 sufferers beneath the age of 5 in 5 chosen governmental hospitals. Additionally, UNICEF had procured lifesaving medicines akin to antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, medical provides, and chemotherapeutic medicine to make sure the continuity and high quality of care delivered to essentially the most weak youngsters in Lebanon.

Beyond this intervention, the Republic of Korea has reaffirmed its dedication to UNICEF actions in Lebanon by contributing US$ 1,900,000 in 2023. This consists of help to chose governmental hospitals by way of lifesaving hospitalization for essentially the most weak, procurement and provide of paediatric acute mediation and medical provides to make sure steady service supply and significant and pressing WASH enhancements throughout 25 main well being care services to organize them to raised reply to emergencies.