Ongoing response in Lebanon

4,047 people have been killed in Lebanon since October 8th 2023, and more than 16,638 have been injured. Burn injuries are a significant issue among survivors. In October, Interburns was invited by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health to set up a new burns service in the Turkish Hospital, Saida, which, although newly built in 2010, was not operational.

The first Interburns team arrived in late October and was made up of a specialist burn surgeon and nurse who remain in situ, with additional multi-disciplinary teams deploying for two to three weeks each month. The team has been working closely with hospital management and representatives from other international organisations to get the hospital, theatres and burn ICU, ready to receive patients. The hospital was officially opened on 4th November 2024.

There are on average 3 burn inpatients each week. The team reviews and conducts dressing changes for approximately 25 outpatients and performs surgery. Patients present with a mix of injuries (electrical, flame, scalds) along with significant soft tissue damage from pager explosions, bomb blasts or crush injuries. The aim is to increase capacity in terms of patient numbers and burn severity.

As well as providing direct patient care, the team provides “on the job” and formal regular training based on Interburns Essential Burn Care (EBC) and Advanced Burn Care courses. Essential equipment has been delivered in collaboration with partners, and the necessary paperwork including patient records and clear admission and referral criteria, has been developed. While clinical outcomes are difficult to assess in such a rapidly changing environment, significant complications are recorded and inpatients complete a satisfaction survey on discharge.

This is the first time that Interburns has deployed an Emergency Medical Team (EMT) and there have been challenges, including the lack of experienced local staff, the need for strong local leadership, and the need to establish sustainable local supply chains and strengthen key support services (labs, particularly microbiology, radiology, pharmacy, blood bank etc). We are proud and delighted to have been directly responsible for:

·       the first patient seen in the burns and trauma wound clinic on 5th November

·       the first patient admitted to the hospital on 10th November

·       the first patient in surgery on 11th November

Congratulations to our fantastic long term and rotating teams, especially Mohammed Ziara from Gaza and Taweni Chiumia from Malawi, as well as partners and funders, Islamic Help and UK Med.