Dr Pierre Catoire, emergency doctor and medical coordinator for Mehad, is currently in Lebanon on an exploratory mission to identify new avenues of action for the NGO.
A year earlier, shortly after the violent attacks in the south and southern suburbs of the country, Mehad had already intervened to support the Dermimas clinic in the Nabatieh region. This area, one of the worst affected by the conflict, has only this structure, which is still operational. The clinic treats more than 4,200 patients every month, offering free or reduced-cost treatment.
At the same time, Mehad had also developed actions in coordination with local organisations, in particular with his partner Al-Shifaa. During this mission, Dr Pierre Catoire was able to carry out medical consultations in the Chatila camp in order to meet health needs, particularly those relating to chronic illnesses.
Today, this new mission aims to deepen and broaden Mehad’s work in Lebanon, focusing on three priorities:
– Support for the Dermimas clinic, which remains essential for patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses, in this area targeted by recurring attacks.
– Training in emergency ultrasound, to enable rapid diagnoses in contexts where time is of the essence.
– Support for Syrian refugees, at a time when the UNHCR has announced the end of its activities in Lebanon by the end of the year, due to budget cuts, which suggests that the needs will be even greater.
True to his commitment, Mehad is continuing to work to improve access to healthcare in a country where humanitarian needs are constantly growing.
