Healthcare delivery in Lebanon: a critical scoping review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

BACKGROUND

Lebanon, an Eastern Mediterranean country with a lower-middle income status, that once boasted a health care system that was functional despite its challenges and complexity. However, it has faced a series of crises-economic, an influx of refugees, political instability, and recent sanctions-that have significantly impacted its aim, principles and values that has impacted upon its ability to function. The objective of this study is to delve into the health service delivery within the Lebanese system and conduct a SWOT analysis (assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats).

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review, examining literature related to the Lebanese health system and its performance in delivering healthcare services. We followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework, which involves six key phases: identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data, collating, summarizing, and reporting the results, consultation.

RESULTS

Despite Lebanon grappling with multiple crises in recent years-such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn-the health system has demonstrated resilience in service delivery. However, challenges persist. Healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, must address these issues. Additionally, economic and political crises pose threats that have necessitated significant changes in healthcare service delivery.

CONCLUSION

In the system of healthcare in Lebanon, there have been remarkable achievements, but continuous attention by healthcare providers and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) is critical. Economic and political challenges exert constant pressure on service delivery and thus reveal a need for strategic changes, most importantly in health financing if Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is to be attained. Proper resources to strategic reform and system implementation in all parts of the country to ensure equitable access and quality care that is sustained are obligatory.