The Italian government contributed to the World Health Organization emergency fund for the procurement of pediatric oncology medications for Lebanon.
A total of 6 pediatric oncology medications from the 21 donated medications have been now delivered by WHO Lebanon to the central warehouse of the Health Ministry (MOPH).
These will cover treatment protocols for approximately 600 children cancer patients through the MOPH’s medication program for the next 12 months.
The remaining medications are expected to be delivered in the coming weeks.
“This is part of the ongoing WHO support to the MOPH, especially in the context of the country facing a severe economic crisis and a health pandemic,” the international health organization said.
Many cancer patients in Lebanon, from children to adults, can not afford the necessary treatment due to the economic crisis wracking the country. It has left many patients unable to buy their needed medicines or even afford to get the minimum treatment.
That crisis of medications is not restricted to cancer patients. It has also impacted the majority of the population in the country, including patients with chronic diseases.
In addition to the lasting shortage of meds and the skyrocketing prices, the lifting of the subsidies without a safety network came to add to the people’s suffering as their needed meds have become out of their reach.
