MSF concludes activities at Rafik Hariri University Hospital Birth Center
Beirut, Lebanon – January 2nd , 2024 – After years of working in the birth center at Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) in support to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has made the decision to conclude its activities in the birth center by the end of December 2023 and handing over its management to Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH).
Since July 2018, MSF has been running the Birth Center at Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH), establishing a midwife-led model of care. This model provides comprehensive care for low-risk pregnant women and newborns through the expertise of trained and qualified midwives and throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. While midwives lead the normal deliveries, a dedicated team of obstetricians is readily available for support in case of complications. For pregnancies requiring advanced specialized care, our teams established a referral system to ensure transfer to appropriate facilities. The Midwives led model of care is an evidence-based, sustainable, and cost-efficient approach that can be implemented in Lebanon. Its cost-effectiveness, especially for low-risk pregnancies, lies in judicious resource allocation and preventive measures. Midwives, as primary caregivers, offer personalized care tailored to each case, reducing reliance on costly medical interventions.
From July 2018 to December 2023, MSF has provided free quality sexual and reproductive health care to 21,851 patients and assisted with 17,812 deliveries within the birth center. To ensure continuity of care, MSF will support Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) by providing the needed equipment.
The decision to conclude activities aligns with MSF’s goal in expanding the reach of its midwife-led model care. By providing technical support and expertise, MSF aims to replicate the birth center’s success within local facilities, reinforcing access to quality care for pregnant women in Lebanon.
MSF remains dedicated to supporting the people in Lebanon. Through its ongoing projects in the country, MSF will continue adapting its approach to meet evolving needs and prioritize accessibility and quality healthcare for all.
About MSF in Lebanon:
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare in almost 70 countries around the world. MSF offers assistance to people based on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) began working in Lebanon in 1976 in response to the civil war, sending medical teams to the south of the country and Beirut. This was MSF’s first mission in a war zone. Today, MSF is providing free medical care in various locations with over 600 staff members in Lebanon.