A significant exodus of medical professionals is impacting Lebanon, a nation once known as the “hospital of the East,” according to reports. Hundreds of doctors and nurses have sought to leave the country in recent months, a phenomenon not seen even during the years of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1989).
The departures are driven by the cascading effects of a rapidly deteriorating financial crisis and the ongoing strain from the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the devastating Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. This loss of skilled healthcare workers poses a serious threat to public health within Lebanon and highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems in crisis-stricken regions.
Dr. Nour Al-Jalbout, an emergency room physician, exemplifies this trend. After returning to Lebanon and dedicating two years to working at a prominent hospital in Beirut, she is now preparing for a new beginning abroad. “I gave my heart to Lebanon for these two years, but it gave me nothing in return,” Dr. Al-Jalbout stated to the French Press Agency. She has applied for a visa to the United States, hoping to start a new chapter in Boston.
In related news, the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered an emergency shipment of medical supplies to Beirut on Monday, August 5, 2024, in anticipation of potential escalation of regional tensions. The shipment, consisting of over 100 pallets and approximately 32 tons of emergency supplies and treatment essentials, aims to bolster the preparedness of Lebanon’s healthcare sector. The delivery comes amid heightened concerns following the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in southern Beirut.
Lebanon’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Feras White, announced that all hospitals and the entire healthcare sector have been placed on high alert. This proactive measure underscores the critical need for preparedness in a region facing increasing instability.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported on September 23, 2025, that the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon persists one year after the start of a war and repeated violations of ceasefires. The organization noted that continued Israeli attacks and the occupation of border areas in southern Lebanon are hindering the return of over 82,000 displaced people and limiting access to essential healthcare.
Darwin Diaz, MSF’s medical programs coordinator in Lebanon, explained, “More than 82,000 people remain displaced, even as thousands of families struggle to access healthcare and rebuild their lives amidst unstable conditions.” He added, “Despite the ceasefire agreement in November 2024, hostilities have not ceased and the humanitarian crisis continues.” This ongoing situation emphasizes the long-term health and humanitarian consequences of protracted conflict and instability.
