Chronic patients neglected in Lebanon as war strains healthcare, MSF doctor says

Chronic patients neglected in Lebanon as war strains healthcare, MSF doctor says A doctor with Medecins Sans Frontieres has warned that patients with chronic illnesses in southern Lebanon are going without treatment as hospitals divert resources to cope with mass displacement caused by Israeli attacks. Thienminh Dinh said medical facilities have shifted focus towards emergency care as more than 1.6 million people have been forced from their homes. “Outpatient departments have had to close during this war so that they can direct their resources to trauma and emergency care,” she told Al Jazeera. She said patients with long-term conditions are being left without care. “People with heart disease, people with kidney disease, people with cancer have had their care neglected,” the doctor said. Dinh called for an immediate ceasefire to allow health workers to operate safely and restore essential services.

A doctor with Medecins Sans Frontieres has warned that patients with chronic illnesses in southern Lebanon are going without treatment as hospitals divert resources to cope with mass displacement caused by Israeli attacks.

Thienminh Dinh said medical facilities have shifted focus towards emergency care as more than 1.6 million people have been forced from their homes.

“Outpatient departments have had to close during this war so that they can direct their resources to trauma and emergency care,” she told Al Jazeera.

She said patients with long-term conditions are being left without care.

“People with heart disease, people with kidney disease, people with cancer have had their care neglected,” the doctor said.

Dinh called for an immediate ceasefire to allow health workers to operate safely and restore essential services.