Promoting Access to Essential Health Care Services for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Abstract

The constant and large influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon due to the escalating Syrian conflict has put a great pressure and burden on the Lebanese healthcare system and economy (Refaat & Mohanna, 2013). While there are many local and international NGOs, humanitarian organizations and governmental agencies involved in providing humanitarian assistance and health care services to Syrian refugees, the existing arrangements within the system are limiting access of refugees to essential health care services. This has led to a rise in communicable diseases, increased the risk of epidemics, suboptimal control of chronic diseases, in addition to other health related matters such as maternal and child health problems and mental health disorders. For instance, Based on local data, in Beirut and its suburbs, 54% of Syrian refugees had chronic diseases most commonly cardiovascular disease (14.77%) and diabetes (12.5%), and 47% suffered from skin diseases, 27% from digestive system diseases, 19% from respiratory diseases, and 13% with mental illness (Refaat & Mohanna, 2013; Amel, 2013). Local data indicates that only 48% of Syrian refugees attended medical consultations and among these, 51.14% indicated going to private clinics while 29% attended public hospitals (Amel, 2013). Recommendations include Developing an essential package of healthcare services for Syrian refugees and Lebanese people, Developing a mechanism at the level of the government to raise funds to finance the delivery of the essential package, Exploring mixed approaches of financing and resource allocation that are context specific and better respond to needs, and other provided in the original document