27 January 2025 – During a recent field mission to south Lebanon, the first of its kind following the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, a team from the WHO country office visited areas that had been hard hit by conflict. The mission visited Jabal Amel Hospital, the Tyre Union of Municipalities and two primary health care centres of the Amel Association and Imam Sadr Foundation.
Jabal Amal Hospital: a haven amidst chaos
Located in the coastal city of Tyre, a region directly affected by the latest Israeli attacks, Jabal Amal Hospital stands as a beacon of hope.
Led by a team of dedicated health care professionals, including its director Dr Walid Mrouweh, the hospital, with 220 beds and a wide range of specialties, including oncology, dialysis and a neonatal intensive care unit, became more than just a health care provider during the conflict: it provides a sanctuary for the families of the health care workers and patients. With the support of WHO and the Ministry of Public Health, the hospital continued providing critical services, including trauma care and psychosocial support, to the nearly 400 caregivers and civilians sheltering in the hospital grounds.
Despite the many challenges – ranging from a shortage of stretchers and medical supplies to the merging of departments due to staff shortages – the hospital’s cohesion remained strong, with hospital staff even organizing the funerals for colleagues who lost their lives. Through close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and WHO, Jabal Amel Hospital found ways to manage the crisis, handling 2,332 casualties, including 1,791 injuries and 541 fatalities – 10% of all casualties – ranking first among hospitals in the region.
Amel Association’s primary health care centre in Tyre: staying afloat
In the heart of Tyre, a few metres away from the beautiful blue sea, lies the modest Amel Association primary health care centre. The centre’s 17 rotating doctors provided vital services throughout the war, utilizing a mobile medical unit to reach people in remote and conflict-affected areas. Although many residents left Tyre seeking safety elsewhere, there was a surge in paediatric cases and patients with noncommunicable diseases and the centre’s commitment to the community remained firm. With support from WHO, the Amel Association tackled the various transportation and logistical challenges.
Despite suffering some damage, the centre has rapidly repaired itself since the ceasefire, and continues to serve the community, offering a full range of primary health care services, including physiotherapy and mental health services.
Tyre Union of Municipalities: a central lifeline
The Tyre Union of Municipalities’ disaster risk reduction team played an indispensable role in supporting 320,000 Lebanese citizens, 51,000 Syrians and 65,000 Palestinian refugees during the war. For years, they have been training first responders and volunteers, but the war placed the team under unprecedented pressure as they provided emergency support including, distributing food, hygiene kits and basic assistance.
To cope with the shortages created by the conflict, the team planted vegetables and dug its own well, demonstrating incredible resourcefulness so that people were able to access food and water. Despite these efforts, there were challenges in providing medical support to the internally displaced people sheltering in schools, as well as a lack of baby milk. The team’s resilience and mutual support was a testament to the power of community-driven efforts in the face of adversity.
Imam Sadr Foundation‘s primary health care centre in Shehabieh: a centre reborn
The last leg of the mission to the war-torn south was to the small village of Shehabieh, where one of the seven Imam Sadr Foundation primary health care centres is located. After closing its doors in September 2024 due to the war, the centre reopened in December, mounting a rapid response to the needs of internally displaced people, although the lack of electricity and the destruction of solar panels made this difficult. Staff shortages were another significant hurdle, but the centre’s spirit remained unbroken, even after two staff lost family members.
Despite being understaffed and lacking essential equipment such as an ophthalmoscope, the centre continues to provide primary health care to the community. Though it is now receiving only 10–15 patients a day, a fraction of the number before the war, the centre remains a vital lifeline for the people of Shehabieh, offering hope and safety amid uncertainty.
A tapestry of resilience
In the aftermath of war, the stories of Jabal Amal Hospital, Tyre Union of Municipalities and the primary health care centres of the Amel Association and Imam Sadr Foundation intertwine to form a powerful narrative of resilience. Despite the security situation, shortages, logistical challenges and immense human suffering, these institutions – along with the health care workers, volunteers, and communities they serve – have embodied the enduring strength of the people of Lebanon.
Their ability to adapt to the drastic changes that the war imposed and continue providing care, even amidst devastation and displacement, serves as a reminder that health care is more than a profession. It is an unwavering commitment to life, humanity, and the possibility of recovery, even in the most difficult times. The lessons learned will not only shape the future of these institutions but will serve as a beacon for others facing similar struggles, showing that even in the darkest days, there is still hope.
