Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T15:17:48.480Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Healthcare and Terrorism: The Lebanese Experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2021

Nooreddine Iskandar ,
Tatiana Rahbany  and
Ali Shokor
Nooreddine Iskandar
Affiliation:
Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Tatiana Rahbany*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
Ali Shokor
Affiliation:
Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
*
Corresponding author: Tatiana Rahbany, Email: [email protected].
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades—but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks.

Methods:

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method.

Results:

The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near ‘dangerous zones’ were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented.

Conclusion:

The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.

Keywords

terrorismdisaster managementemergency responsehospital management
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , June 2022 , pp. 1073 - 1076
Copyright
© Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

United States Marine Corps. Individual’s Guide For Understanding and Surviving Terrorism. New York, NY: Cosimo, Inc.; 2007. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/usmc/mcrp/3-02e/mcrp3-02e.pdf. Accessed March 7, 2021.Google Scholar
Singh, AK, Ditkofsky, NG, York, JD, et al. Blast Injuries: From Improvised Explosive Device Blasts to the Boston Marathon Bombing. Radiographics. 2016;36(1):295–307.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gupta, HK. Disaster Management. Universities Press; 2003.Google Scholar
Kaji, AH, Koenig, KL, Lewis, RJ. Current hospital disaster preparedness. JAMA. 2007;298(18):2188–2190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BBC. Beirut Explosion: What we know so far. BBC website. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493. Accessed August 11, 2020.Google Scholar
Lebanese Ministry of Public Health website. Health facilities. https://www.moph.gov.lb/en/HealthFacilities/index/3/188/8/health-facility-locator. Accessed April 17, 2020.Google Scholar
El Sayed, MJ. Emergency response to mass casualty incidents in Lebanon. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2013;7(4):433–438.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Alruwaili, A, Islam, S, Usher, K. Disaster Preparedness in Hospitals in the Middle East: An Integrative Literature Review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019;13(4):806–816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed