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About Our Work

Health Care Society / About Our Work

About Health Care Society

Health Care Society provides health security to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon by covering the cost of secondary and tertiary medical care. Both local and international humanitarian agencies offer primary healthcare services to refugees in Lebanon, however, large gaps in the coverage of secondary and tertiary care services remain. Health Care Society was founded in 1995 to address these gaps. HCS became legally registered with the Ministry of Interior in 1997 under the registration number AD/156. Working closely with our partners and donors, HCS engages in evidence-based care to provide dignified health care to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. HCS now operates 2 dialysis centers, where dialysis is provided to refugees who need it for free. HCS also supports the cost of comprehensive healthcare for children and adults with inherited blood disorders. Partial coverage of the cost of surgeries and medications is another major part of HCS’s work. Health education sessions are also given to help refugees stay healthy and prevent chronic diseases.

About Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

Lebanon is home to nearly 480,000 registered Palestinian refugees (PRL).* Approximately 45% of them live within the 12 Palestinian refugee camps scattered around the country. Most of these refugees are the descendants of Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes during the 1948 Palestine war. Despite living in Lebanon for decades, Palestinian refugees and their descendants face many obstacles in terms of acquiring similar rights to Lebanese citizens. For example, Palestinian refugees do not have access to basic means of social protection such as pensions, unemployment benefits, or healthcare. They cannot own property and are prohibited from working in many professions. Since the start of the Syrian conflict, HCS has extended the same coverage to Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS). The latest available data suggests the PRS population is close to twenty-nine thousand.*

* Source: UNRWA 2018

Message from the Executive Director

10 January 2022

 

Dear friends of HCS,

 

As we enter this new year after enduring yet another extraordinarily challenging one, I cannot help but feel hopeful. Together we have overcome seemingly insur­ mountable obstacles over the last few years. And, although many of our dreams were deferred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have many successes to celebrate.

 

HCS continued to provide support for all dialysis beneficiaries at both hemodialy­ sis centers despite the country’s worsening financial crisis. Dialysis sessions, blood tests, and even PCR testing for COVID-19 are offered free of charge. In 2022 we are looking forward to moving our hemodialysis center in Beddawi refugee camp to a dedicated space in the newly constructed Safad Hospital. This will allow us to ac­ commodate more patients simultaneously in a brand-new state-of-the-art hemodi­ alysis unit.

 

Our thalassemia and sickle cell disease beneficiaries are slowly returning to the he­ matology clinic at the American University of Beirut Medical Center after many months of delays related to the pandemic. There, they are assessed by a world-class medical team and referred for any necessary blood tests or imaging, all of which are covered by HCS. A small but important victory was the recently se­ cured donation of 200 boxes of hydroxyurea, a medication that is essential to keep­ ing our sickle cell beneficiaries healthy.

 

With the value of the Lebanese lira falling against the dollar, HCS faced some chal­ lenges in its project to support patients’ surgeries and hospitalizations. Despite this, HCS supported more beneficiaries in 2021 than in the year prior. In 2022, we will continue to work our hardest to find solutions to each new challenge we face. As my first month at HCS comes to a close, I am optimistic that we will persevere and grow despite the complex challenges we face in Lebanon. Collective action to­ wards a common objective has the power to conquer even the biggest of barriers. Together we can alleviate the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

 

Best regards,

Hebah EI-Rayess MD, MPH

Executive Director

Our Timeline

Preloader

01Our Mission

HCS mission is to provide health security to the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

02Our Values

HCS ethical framework is grounded in the following values: com­ mitment, solidarity, dignity and tolerance.

03Our Objectives

Contribute towards costs of secondary and tertiary medical care for Palestinian refugees while ensuring quality care.

Become a volunteer with Health Care Society.

Organizational Chart

  • General Assembly
    Members: founders, board of directors, community members
    • Board of Directors
      President (vacant position)
      Vice-President (Ms. Wafa El Yassir)
      Treasurer (Mr. Kassem Aina) Secretary (vacant position)
      Consultant members (Dr. Marwan Akel & Dr. Mona Osman)
      • Executive Director
        Dr. Hebah El-Rayess
        • Accountant
          Mr. Mohammad Al Sadek
        • Social Workers
          Mr. Mohammad Abou Issa
          Mr. Youssef Abdel Latif
    • External Auditor
      Mr. Rhagid Adas

04Staff members

Dr. Hebah El-Rayess

Executive Director

Mr. Mohammad El Sadek

Accountant

Mr. Yussef Abdulatif

Social workers

Mr. Mohammed Abo Issa

Social workers

04Downloadable Resources

Our Donors & Partners