Medical and paramedical emigration: more than 3,000 nurses have left Lebanon over the past four years

2023-09-14 06:00:02

Since the start of the economic crisis in Lebanon in the fall of 2019, many doctors and nurses have left the country. While the devaluation of the currency has caused a brutal drop in their salaries, they are leaving for better living conditions, and because the crisis leaves them no choice.

More than 3,000 nurses have emigrated over the past four years. French speakers leave for France or Belgium, English speakers opt for the Gulf countries or the United States. And this exodus is far from over: according to a WHO study, 50% of nurses are thinking of leaving Lebanon in the next two years.

“It’s a hemorrhage… We can’t do nothing for these young people: in Lebanon, we need them. There are no hospitals or health without nurses.”

Rima Sassine KazanPresident of the Order of Nurses of Lebanon

► A long format report in Beirut from Charlie Dupiot to be found in Priority Health.

This broadcast was produced with the assistance of the French Hospital Federationwith funding from the French Development Agency and with the collaboration of the General Directorate of Healthcare Offering Ministry of Health and Prevention.