Health and Safety
Beirut is generally a safe place but to avoid any untoward incident, it always pays to stay alert especially in crowded places like markets or tourist attractions. Follow simple precautions like keeping your handbag close to your body, not wearing expensive, flashy jewelry, and keeping a tight rein on small kids, and you should be fine. Try not to make it too obvious that you are a tourist for then you could be the prime target for mischief-makers. Avoid places where demonstrations are going on for these could turn violent. Do not be intimidated by the feeling of high security and the armed guards patrolling downtown areas but do carry your personal identity documentation at all times in case you are subjected to a security check. Beirut has been ravaged by war for many years and local people may be sensitive to certain issues. It would be advisable to avoid any talk of Israel or to mention any trips you may have made there.
If you are on some routine medication, make sure you are carrying enough stock to last the duration of your trip. For complex medical conditions, a management plan developed with the treating doctors, and a letter of authority for medications to be carried and used overseas is essential.
Avoid drinking tap water, bottled water is easily available. If you are visiting during summer months take care against over exposure to the sun. Use a sunscreen, cover your head and drink plenty of water or juices.
Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required if you arrive from an infected area, and Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended if you intend to travel to rural areas. Beirut boasts of modern medical facilities and state-of-the-art hospitals. Here is a list of some hospitals for your reference in case you need. We hope you don’t!
American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
Makdissi Street, Hamra, P.O. Box: 113-6044, Beirut,
☎ 01-350000;1-340460;1-340740;1-374444;1-374374 (aubmc@aub.edu.lb),
Hotel Dieu Hospital:
Adib Ishak Street, BVD. Alfred Naccache, Achrafieh, Beirut – P.O. Box: 166830,
☎ 01-615300;01-615400 (hdf@usj.edu.lb,
Saint George Hospital University medical center
Rmeil, Youssef Sursock street P.O. Box: 166378, Achrafieh, Beirut,
☎ 01-585700; 01-525700 (admin@stgeorgehospital.org)
Clinique Dr. Rizk Hospital
Zahar St., Achrafieh P.O. Box: 11-3288, Beirut,
☎ 01-200800;01-328800 (info@cliniquerizk.com),
Makassed Hospital
Ouzai St., Tarik Al-Jadida P.O. Box: 6301, Beirut,
☎ 01-646590/1/2/3/4/5/6 (mghadmin@cyberia.net.lb, fax: 01-646589),
Najjar Hospital
Maamari Street, Ras Beirut P.O. Box: 113-5984, Beirut,
☎ 01-340626; 03-669911 (najjarhp@inco.com.lb, fax: 01-343992
Sahel Hospital
Airport Ave., Dergham Street P.O.Box: 99/25, Ghobeiry, Beirut,
☎ 01-858333 (info@sahelhospital.com.lb, fax: 01-840146),
Trad Hospital and Medical Center
Mexico Street, Fifth Floor, Clemenceau, Hamra P.O. Box: 113-6431, Beirut,
☎ 01-341740, 01-369494/5 (fax: 01-361663).
Fuad Khoury Hospital
Maktabi Bldg., Abdelaziz Street, Hamra, Beirut,
☎ 01-742140/3/7, 01-348811 (ffhosp67@dm.net.lb, fax: 01-350208)
Barbir Hospital
Fuad The First Street, Barbir P.O.Box: 11/4302, Beirut,
☎ 01-652915/6/7/8; 01-652955 (barbir@terra.net.lb, fax: 01-631429).