Reforming Healthcare Practice in View of the Economic Crisis in Lebanon: The Case of Cardiovascular Care

Abstract

Since the fall of 2019, Lebanon has been facing an economic crisis that has imposed many challenges on its healthcare system in its entirety. In this review, we propose a methodology to inform healthcare policy and apply it on cardiovascular disease (CVD) healthcare with emphasis on ischemic heart disease (IHD). The main goal of this methodology is reducing unnecessary expenditure while maintaining quality and access. CVD, and particularly IHD, is the most common reason for hospitalizations in Lebanon. Lebanon also has a high density of catheterization labs, higher than countries with higher prevalence of disease. Additionally, we found coronary to be are more expensive in comparison to other countries. To reduce healthcare costs without compromising quality and access we propose solutions targeting healthcare financing, payment for services, healthcare organizations, behaviors of providers, payers, and patients, and above all government regulation.