The Ministry of Public Health distributed on Tuesday 33 Surgical Instrument Sets (SI Sets) to government hospitals to enhance their capacity to treat trauma and provide emergency treatment.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), is part of a national emergency preparedness plan set in motion during the recent escalation of conflict with Israel.
Public Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine emphasized the project’s significance, stating that these surgical kits, tailored for general, cardiac and orthopedic surgeries, will be distributed equitably based on hospital capacity. “This is a vital step toward strengthening our public hospitals, which remain at the forefront of health care delivery during crises,” he said.
The Minister raised concerns about current hospital funding, warning that without a significant budget increase in 2026, the system risks falling back on “patchwork solutions” that undermine long-term care.
WHO Representative Dr. Abdel Nasser Abu Bakr noted that over 17,700 trauma injuries have been treated since the war in Gaza escalated in October 2023 and later affected Lebanon. He said the WHO Emergency Trauma Surgical Kit, capable of supporting up to 50 major surgeries, is designed to be used even in damaged or overcrowded facilities.
“These supplies go beyond equipment; they represent preparedness, partnership, and the commitment to preserve life,” Abu Bakr said, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s health infrastructure through replenishment of kits, staff training and integration of trauma care into national emergency protocols.
Officials stressed the importance of ongoing support, especially as Lebanon continues to face regional instability. “Our goal,” said Nassereddine, “is to be ready, but to never need these kits.”
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