WHO "Quickly Collapses Lebanon's Medical System"

The healthcare system is quickly collapsing in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and pro-Iranian militant Hezbollah is intensifying, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes.

According to the WHO, medical facilities have been closed due to security concerns in southern and eastern Lebanon and suburbs south of the capital Beirut, where intensive Israeli air strikes have continued since the 23rd of last month.

"There were 207 primary medical institutions and clinics in the disputed area, but 100 were closed," the WHO said. "Five large hospitals were evacuated due to broken buildings or heavy shelling in nearby areas."

"There are five more hospitals that have been evacuated with only some medical staff left," he said. "These hospitals had to transfer patients with severe cancer or kidney dialysis to other hospitals."

"The current situation in Lebanon is astonishing," said Dr. Hanan Balki, WHO's regional director for the eastern Mediterranean. "The system has severely weakened at a time when healthcare is most needed."

WHO pointed out that it is also important to be aware of the constant casualties of medical personnel.

"Since the 17th of last month, Lebanon's medical facilities we are involved in have been attacked in 23 cases, with 72 medical staff and patients killed and 43 injured," the WHO said.

"Hospitals in Lebanon are dealing with unfavorable conditions such as a shortage of medical personnel, depletion of medical supplies and lack of facilities at an unprecedented level of injuries," he added.