LEBANON - The Ministry of Public Health announced the launch of full hospital coverage for treating strokes through catheterization (Thrombectomy), making the procedure 100% covered. This ensures faster treatment and increases the chances of recovery, especially in critical cases that require immediate care.
In an exclusive interview with Enmaia, Professor Natalie Nasr, appointed by the Lebanese Ministry of Health as Chair of the National Committee for Stroke Prevention, explained that the initiative covers all patients without health insurance. The ministry will cover the full cost of the procedure, which can reach around $10,000 per hospital, not including doctors’ fees. Coverage also includes one night in the ICU to monitor the patient’s condition and ensure their stability.
Nasr emphasized that this step aims to prevent hospitals from stopping critical procedures due to lack of coverage. She noted that the procedures will be done directly in hospitals without prior approval from the ministry to avoid delays that could reduce chances of recovery.
The program started with the most complex procedures, such as Thrombectomy via catheterization, which is a precise operation to remove a large clot from brain arteries using a catheter and is usually done in large, well-equipped hospitals. Smaller cases can be treated with simpler methods, like Embolization, which removes or breaks up a small clot in brain arteries.
She stressed the importance of patients reaching the hospital quickly, as any delay reduces treatment effectiveness and may leave lasting effects, such as problems with movement or speech.
Nasr also highlighted the need to improve hospitals’ ability to quickly recognize stroke cases and provide emergency care, as well as raising public awareness about stroke symptoms, such as difficulty speaking or weakness in the limbs, to help patients reach the hospital in time.
Hospitals equipped to perform these procedures, like Rizk Hospital, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, and AUBMC, will receive patients immediately to ensure rapid intervention.
The program covers all patients, regardless of nationality.
Regarding funding, Nasr confirmed that the program is largely self-sustaining, as performing the procedure via catheterization saves the ministry significant amounts compared to the costs of treating complications later using traditional methods. This makes it a health investment while ensuring the program’s financial sustainability.
With full coverage of these procedures, a new challenge emerges for hospitals and the public: quickly recognizing symptoms and acting immediately to ensure that as many patients as possible benefit from the treatment.
