Knowledge Products

Prepared by Nathalie Karam in February 2024 under MedProgramme Child Project 1.1, this report documents activities undertaken in Lebanon from 2022 to 2023 to support the phase-out of mercury-containing medical devices. Focusing on governmental hospitals and primary healthcare centres, it identifies relevant stakeholders and facilities, reviews the national legal framework, assesses available mercury-free alternatives and reports on coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and other national authorities. Data were collected through questionnaires sent to 28 governmental hospitals and 271 primary healthcare centres, follow-up consultations, meetings and a national round-table discussion. Responses from governmental hospitals identified approximately 3.575 kg of mercury in use, including 370 thermometers and 29 sphygmomanometers; however, low hospital participation and the absence of responses from primary healthcare centres significantly limited the inventory. The report recommends completing the national assessment, strengthening institutional coordination and supporting the transition to safer alternatives, while recognising that the planned training and awareness activities were cancelled because of Lebanon’s socioeconomic conditions and stakeholder-engagement challenges.