Lebanon: PARAMED Project for Strengthening Skills of Health Workers in the Public Sector in Lebanon

The severe crisis in Lebanon has exacerbated the difficulties of access to health services for the most vulnerable populations, who are increasingly turning to public hospitals and primary health care centers (PHCs), which are under severe strain. These facilities are facing both an increase in the number of patients and a severe shortage of staff. This situation leads to a deterioration in the quality of care, which primarily affects women and children. Despite this shortage, hospitals remain reluctant to recruit new graduates starting from class of 2020, whose level of training has been impacted by both the COVID and the economic crisis. 

The project aims to improve the quality of care in the public health system in Lebanon by strengthening health workers skills in public hospitals as well as in primary health care centers. 
It will:

• Equip 12 public hospitals with training centers that are recognized and accessible to everyone;
• Improve the employability of young men and women in the nursing profession by updating their technical and life skills; and support and increase their employability in hospitals, primary health care centers or home care;
• Strengthen the skills of existing staff in hospitals and support them through a continuous education program;
• Help reduce gender inequalities in the nursing profession. 

The main activities are:

• The equipping of training rooms in hospitals;
• The training of young graduates (additional practical training and professional skills) and young unemployed youth in 3 training majors (nursing, caregiver, assistant) and support their integration into hospitals, PHCs, home care;
• The continuous education of existing staff in hospitals. 

Projet beneficiaries include 4200 health workers and approximately 3 millions patients.