Urban Street Medicine and the Healthcare System in Lebanon

Volunteers at the Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital in Mexico City take care of the birthday boys and girls, doing their hair, makeup, and clothes. They organize an annual 15th birthday party for patients currently being treated for severe illnesses or those who have already beaten cancer. Since some families cannot afford the party after undergoing expensive treatments, the hospital covers the costs. In Mexico, the “quinceañera,” or “fifteenth birthday,” holds significant cultural importance, especially for girls, and the hospital aims to honor this tradition.

In the United States, a growing form of street medicine involves nurses and social workers providing water and medicine to people experiencing homelessness. In California, where 64 of the roughly 150 U.S. street medicine organizations operate, a medical group called Healthcare in Action is exclusively dedicated to homeless individuals. It seeks funding from state and federal governments to provide medical treatment and housing for patients. Medicaid, a state social welfare program, can assist homeless individuals in finding housing or paying utility bills.

Lebanon is facing multiple health care crises and is also preparing for a potential conflict with Israel. The World Health Organization recently delivered nearly 32 tons of medical supplies to Lebanon. In the Gaza Strip, the health care system has already suffered extensive damage, and Lebanese health authorities fear that their hospitals could be targeted in a conflict with Israel.