Beirut - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
We have the "Beirut Belly". It gets everyone and there is no way to avoid it. Even if you cooked all your meals at home, you'd still get it. It's so common place, that your absence is not questioned when you say you have stomach issues. You can do some medical things here, the big one being dental, anything else you'd probably be put on a plane. Our medical team is pretty good and are willing to help. - Aug 2024
Lebanon escaped a bad COVID situation early on only to get hit with it full force in the late summer. Between COVID, the economy, and the port blast the healthcare system looks to be in a dire position. I would not count on being able to get any health care here outside on the local economy. - Oct 2020
I've been told medical care is completely adequate here. Anything requiring more than an overnight stay in the hospital would result in a medevac. - May 2019
Bring any favorite medicines that you have because they wont be available here (Sudafed, Claritin, Tylenol, Aleve, Zantac, Midol, etc.) - Jul 2016
As one health practitioner stated, we live in a dirty, dirty environment. Since the compound is small, old, and generally overcrowded, it provides the ideal conditions for the cultivation and spread of disease. Flu, upper respiratory problems, and stomach ailments rage through the compound in two-three month increments like California wildfires. The water quality on compound is highly questionable as it ranges from outright brown to foul smelling. Sometimes you wonder if you are doing more harm than good by taking a shower. The medical care in greater Beirut is fantastic as most doctors are trained and educated in either France or the U.S. Some people are able to eat the local food with no problems, while others suffer chronically from intestinal maladies. - Nov 2014
Although the water is treated, you are warned not to drink it or brush your teeth with it. We are in a closed compound, so illnesses tend to spread throughout the community rather easily. Food-borne illnesses are also rampant, especially during the summer. - Apr 2014
Good care available at hospital such as AUBMC. - Jan 2014
Most all the doctors trained in the US or Europe. - Apr 2012
Doctors and dentists are well trained and often board-certified in either the US or France. - Sep 2010
Most Lebanese doctors and dentists have studied in Europe or the U.S.You might get a stomach bug from eating out, but it's not a major concern. - Jul 2010
The quality of medical care is good. There is a nurse on compound and she/he can be dispatched to your trailer or apartment if blood tests or urine samples are needed. - Jun 2009
Quality of health care is superior and less expensive to that in the U.S. - Jun 2008
There are very good medical treatment facilities and many doctors have been trained in the U.S. or Western Europe. - Mar 2008
