Emergency Unit at Saint George Hospital Reopens Following Beirut Port Blast Reconstruction
The reopening is made possible by a significant donation from the UAE’s Big Heart Foundation to support the recovery efforts after the 2020 explosion.
The emergency and trauma unit at Saint George Hospital University Medical Centre in Beirut has officially reopened, marking a significant milestone in the recovery efforts following the devastating explosion at the nearby port in August 2020. The unit was reconstructed and expanded with the aid of a Dh8.7 million (approximately $2.36 million) donation from the Big Heart Foundation, a humanitarian organization based in Sharjah, UAE.
Situated approximately half a kilometer from the port, Saint George Hospital sustained considerable damage during the blast, which resulted in more than 200 fatalities and thousands of injuries.
Among the casualties were four nursing staff, as well as 12 patients and a visitor.
The explosion also inflicted injuries on over 100 medical and administrative personnel, challenging the hospital's operational capabilities.
The upgraded emergency unit reopened its doors on Tuesday and features advanced medical equipment, increased patient capacity, improved trauma-care services, and a newly established pediatric section.
The facility is now equipped to provide care for an estimated 40,000 patients per year, allowing the hospital to operate at full capacity for the first time since the explosion.
The funding for the reconstruction stemmed from the Salam Beirut campaign, which successfully raised over Dh30 million to support recovery initiatives in the aftermath of the disaster.
During the inauguration, Alya Al Musaiebi, director of The Big Heart Foundation, expressed the organization's commitment to long-term support for Lebanon and emphasized the importance of dignity in humanitarian efforts.
She articulated that the center's reconstruction symbolizes a commitment to restoring stability and self-worth to affected communities.
Dr. Joseph Wehbe, the chief of staff and head of the emergency and trauma center, stated that the restoration and expansion of the unit represents a significant achievement for the hospital, which had been operational since 1878 and faced a complete shutdown due to the explosion's impact.
He acknowledged the swift actions of the medical and administrative teams, who managed to create a temporary emergency unit within just two weeks to cater to urgent medical needs following the disaster.
Situated approximately half a kilometer from the port, Saint George Hospital sustained considerable damage during the blast, which resulted in more than 200 fatalities and thousands of injuries.
Among the casualties were four nursing staff, as well as 12 patients and a visitor.
The explosion also inflicted injuries on over 100 medical and administrative personnel, challenging the hospital's operational capabilities.
The upgraded emergency unit reopened its doors on Tuesday and features advanced medical equipment, increased patient capacity, improved trauma-care services, and a newly established pediatric section.
The facility is now equipped to provide care for an estimated 40,000 patients per year, allowing the hospital to operate at full capacity for the first time since the explosion.
The funding for the reconstruction stemmed from the Salam Beirut campaign, which successfully raised over Dh30 million to support recovery initiatives in the aftermath of the disaster.
During the inauguration, Alya Al Musaiebi, director of The Big Heart Foundation, expressed the organization's commitment to long-term support for Lebanon and emphasized the importance of dignity in humanitarian efforts.
She articulated that the center's reconstruction symbolizes a commitment to restoring stability and self-worth to affected communities.
Dr. Joseph Wehbe, the chief of staff and head of the emergency and trauma center, stated that the restoration and expansion of the unit represents a significant achievement for the hospital, which had been operational since 1878 and faced a complete shutdown due to the explosion's impact.
He acknowledged the swift actions of the medical and administrative teams, who managed to create a temporary emergency unit within just two weeks to cater to urgent medical needs following the disaster.
Translation:
Translated by AI
