‘People are definitely not OK’: Lebanon struck by self-immolation and other suicide attempts
Weight of economic crisis, trauma from Beirut blast and stringent lockdown could increase risks of self-harm, experts say
BEIRUT, LEBANON - MARCH 07: Beirut skyline is covered by a thick layer of toxic Nitogen Dioxide pollutants on March 07, 2016 in Beirut, Lebanon. PHOTOGRAPH BY Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Media UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com (Photo credit should read Amer Ghazzal / Barcroft Media / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
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A man died after setting himself on fire in Lebanon, while two others attempted suicide through similar acts over the past seven days, as the country spirals deeper into economic crisis.
Wednesday 13/01/2021
Members of the Lebanese Red Cross transfer a coronavirus patient to the COVID-19 department of the Nabih Berri university hospital, in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatiyeh. (AFP)
BEIRUT - Lebanon has “entered the dangerous phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the government to declare a state of health emergency and a round-the-clock curfew in an effort to contain a dramatic surge of cases largely blamed on the relaxation of restrictions during end of year holidays.
With daily cases exceeding 5,000 in the week after New Year’s celebrations, hospitals sounded the alarm, warning that they might be forced to turn away patients due to a lack of vacant beds and overwhelmed human resources.
Lebanon on the Edge: No Beds Left for Coronavirus Patients Published January 7th, 2021 - 06:35 GMT
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Fourth lockdown follows record daily infections and warnings of ‘worse to come’
Lebanon’s health system is on the brink of collapse as the country begins a 25-day nationwide lockdown to battle a record surge in coronavirus infections.
The lockdown starting on Thursday the country’s fourth in just over 10 months follows a dramatic spike in the infection rate, with 3,620 cases reported in a single day, the highest number since the outbreak began in late February, 2020.
Amid growing alarm at the deteriorating situation, health officials warned that hospitals are running out of beds and intensive care facilities are being overwhelmed.
A small surge in infections is enough to take its health sector to breaking point. Published: January 06, 2021 15:23 AFP Healthcare workers gather the the nurses station in the intensive care unit of the Rafic Hariri University Hospital in the Lebanese capital Beirut, on January 5, 2021. - With 192,000 reported cases and almost 1,500 deaths, Lebanon is not among the world s worst hit countries, but its infrastructure is crumbling and a small surge in infections is enough to take its health sector to breaking point. Image Credit: AFP
Beirut: When Rachelle Halabi rushed her 85-year-old father to a Beirut hospital a few days ago with Covid-19, the doctor sent them home as intensive care was full. The ER doctor told us to go back, get him an oxygen machine and give him his treatment from home, she told AFP from the Lebanese capital. We went with it for several days, but his condition did not improve.
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s health system is on the brink of collapse as the country begins a 25-day nationwide lockdown to battle a record surge in coronavirus infections.
The lockdown starting on Thursday the country’s fourth in just over 10 months follows a dramatic spike in the infection rate, with 3,620 cases reported in a single day, the highest number since the outbreak began in late February, 2020.
Amid growing alarm at the deteriorating situation, health officials warned that hospitals are running out of beds and intensive care facilities are being overwhelmed.
Pharmacists also told Arab News that stocks of drugs and medicines required to treat coronavirus patients are running low because of the rising demand.