The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy has concluded a 3-day – from 23 to 25 July 2025 – official visit to Lebanon. Dr Balkhy met with national authorities, health workers, civil society actors and international partners and witnessed firsthand the profound challenges facing the Lebanese health system.

At the heart of the mission was a call for increased domestic and international investment in health as Lebanon navigates multiple overlapping crises, including economic collapse, protracted conflict and one of the highest refugee burdens per capita globally.

“The health sector has shown remarkable resilience – but the needs are vast and growing,” said Dr Balkhy. “Trauma care, mental health services, essential medicines and rehabilitation and assistive products for persons with disabilities are in urgent demand.”

Dr Balkhy held high-level meetings with the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, the First Lady, the Minister of Public Health and the Minister of Finance to discuss Lebanon’s most pressing health priorities. These include pharmaceutical security, cancer care, substance use treatment and the urgent need to reinforce health governance and sustainable financing mechanisms.