- Implementation Support Agency (ISA): World Bank
- Total project financing: $25 million
- Funding from GCFF: $2.05 million
- GCFF Financing Approval Date: 05/03/2022
- Project Closing Date: 09/30/2022
- % Disbursed: 18.6%
- Status: Under implementation
About the project
This project has supported the procurement of 3.25 million of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as supplies for vaccine deployment, equipment for 45 hospitals and 180 ICU beds and financial support to cover 14,527 COVID-19 related bills. The government has secured a portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines through bilateral agreements, COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility (self-financing), and donations. The government also signed a Manufacturing and Supply Agreement with Pfizer on January 17, 2021. All COVID-19-related activities under this project apply to both hosts and refugees.
Project Development Objective (PDO)
To prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen Lebanon’s national system for public health preparedness.
Project Implementation Status
Project rating: The progress towards achievement of the PDO remains Moderately Satisfactory. The Project’s overall implementation progress was downgraded to Moderately Unsatisfactory in the Implementation Status and Results Report (ISR) of April 2025 due to delays in implementation and disbursement. The delays in initiating Project activities were primarily due to reduced demand for COVID-19 vaccines globally and in Lebanon. Additionally, the MoPH’s increased budget allocation for hospitalization costs in 2024, which prompted the decision not to use Project funds for COVID-19-related hospitalizations. This is also added to staffing shortages caused by civil servant absenteeism amidst a financial crisis. The Project Management Unit (PMU) also had vacancies in crucial positions, which were filled in December 2023. In addition, the recent conflict that escalated in September 2024 and caused significant damage to the health sector, impacted the progress of most operations in the country including this project.
Cancellation of funds: The MoPH is planning to cancel uncommitted funds under the loan portion of the project. The MoPH should formalize this request with an official letter to the WB by end of July 2025.
Progress by component:
- Component 1 – Procurement of COVID-19 vaccines and deployment
No activities were launched under this component.
- Component 2- COVID-19 prevention, detection and case management
There are two procurement packages of medical equipment planned under this component as outlined below.
- Computed Tomography Scan (CT-scan).
- Radiology Equipment (including Digital Mammography and C-Arm Machines), Ophthalmic Equipment (including Phaco Machines and ophthalmic microscopes), and Operating Rooms Equipment. The requests for bids for these packages have been launched. Installation of all equipment is scheduled to take place at designated public hospitals between October and November 2025. The medical equipment will strengthen the operational capacity of public hospitals and improve access to quality care for vulnerable populations, including Lebanese and Syrian refugees. This component also financed the procurement of 138 dialysis machines (which were delivered) and 19 reverse osmosis (RO) systems (which will be delivered and installed by November 2025).
- Component 3 – System Strengthening, Monitoring and Management
Subcomponent 3.1: The MoPH submitted the revised Project Operations Manual (POM) on July 3, 2025. The bi-annual progress report will be submitted by end of July 2025. The PMU is now staffed with (i) procurement officer who is acting as interim project coordinator; (ii) financial officer; (iii) financial assistant; (iv) interim financial assistant; (v) monitoring and evaluation officer; (vi) PHC technical coordinator; (vii) two administrative assistants; and (viii) E&S officer. Two biomedical engineers have been recruited to assist the PMU in developing technical specifications for medical equipment and evaluating proposals. There are two
ongoing recruitments under the PMU. For the project manager, the revised evaluation report is expected to be submitted by July 18. As for the procurement assistant, the evaluation report is expected to be submitted by August 5, 2025. Subcomponent 3.2: This subcomponent is financed by the Global Public Goods (GPG) grant. There is one procurement package of laboratory equipment planned under this component. WB is currently discussing MoPH’s proposal for the utilization plan for this grant which consists of (1) using the funds to procure equipment for the Central Public Health Laboratory to strengthen its capacity in pharmaceutical quality control and (2) conducting assessments and procuring IT equipment to support MoPH’s digital transformation strategy.
Relevant Documents: