STORY: Lebanon's healthcare system faces unprecedented challenges amid ongoing conflict: official
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:17
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: HEALTH

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
4. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
5. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee

STORYLINE:

Lebanon's healthcare system is facing its most severe challenges since 2006, especially as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict intensifies, said Bilal Abdallah, chairman of the Lebanese parliament's Public Health, Labor, and Social Affairs Committee.

In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua Abdallah emphasized that Lebanese medics are struggling to care for the injured and displaced.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
"I think we have a lot of problems in our health system, even we are fighting. Our hospitals, our physicians and our nurses are fighting to help people, to help the displaced, to help injuries. And unfortunately, we have 15 hospitals broken and outside of work, especially in the south and in Bekaa and the southern suburbs of Beirut."

According to Abdallah, the government has drawn a plan to help the displaced, but drugs are still in shortage.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
"We are trying to make sure that our people, including the displaced, are receiving the good health care, because the Minister of Health Dr. Firas Abiad has drawn a very good emergency plan eight months ago. We are still working with this plan. I think we have a bit of shortage of some supplements and some drugs, especially for acute diseases, because when you have displaced people you need more drugs for acute diseases. But I am afraid in case the war continues, it could be the worst scenario."

He expressed concerns about the possible worse scenario amid the ongoing conflict.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
"We are still working with the minister of health on how to give healthcare to these people displaced by public hosptials, by the private hospitals. I am not sure if we can continue this, because it needs budget. And let me tell you even with the help we are receiving from other countries, that is not enough for this situation, unfortunately."

The Lebanese health system is preparing for the worst, said Abdallah.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
"Unfortunately, the situation depends on Israel. As a health system, we have to prepare ourselves all the time for the worst scenario, but we hope it will not be. We have to, we must at all time prepare for the worst scenario."

He also called for support from the international community.

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): BILAL ABDALLAH, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee
"The international community and the security council have to take the responsibility to help Lebanon. It is not enough to make declarations, also help is needed. But unfortunately, all the time, America is using the veto against any fair resolution. Till now, we need your support and that of the International community."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)