Crisis in Lebanon – one doctor's story

After a tough, two year stint on the Beirut front line, Lebanese emergency physician Nour al-Jalbout is fleeing calamity in her native country.

Traumatised by the aftermath of Beirut port’s chemical blast, Nour now feels she’s out of options – her dreams of a medical career rooted in Lebanon have been dashed.

Nour: "I have the most noble job – when I'm doing it, and I'm doing the best I can. [And then came] August 4 – I was here and the ceiling fell off on us."

Alongside countless others, Nour’s own home sustained considerable damage in the explosion.

She craves normality.

Nour: "I mean, we're known for our resilience, it's kind of, of a double-edged sword. Like, the Lebanese resilience, I'm like fed up of being resilient. I don't want to live this life anymore, you know. I want to live a decent life and not be having to face a bomb, and civil riots, and war every like couple of years – it's heart-breaking."

Lebanon is reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, distrust of politicians has led to public disorder and the economy is on its knees, impacting even those in the highest echelons of society.

Medics have seen their salaries nosedive, while their personal savings are trapped in failing banks. Lack of funding means essential hospital medicines are scarce.

Nour: "So, every month there's a medication that's essential that is out of stock. So, it goes back and forth until we get the money and then get the supplies. Oh, he needs to be midlined."

Long known as ‘the Middle East’s hospital’, Lebanon is now haemorrhaging vital medical expertise as Nour joins a legion of healthcare professionals finding themselves compelled to relocate, undermining its reputation for gold standard healthcare.

Riven by conflicting emotions, Nour laments the decision she's been forced to make.

Nour: "For me Beirut is like opium, [they call it "afiun" in Arabic]. You are, you're addicted to it but it's so bad for you, it's toxic. So [my love for Beirut is like this] this bad relationship that's not good for me and I have to just get out." View Less