- 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: 18.7%
- 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
Delays in Project Implementation: The project was approved by the World Bank (WB) on May 15, 2022, and became effective on December 31, 2022. The first disbursement from the project amounts to US$5.41 million (18.65 percent of total financing) and was processed in November 2023. 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 prompted the decision not to use project funds for COVID-19-related hospitalizations. Technical capacity building efforts at public hospitals, a key part of the project, faced setbacks due to staffing shortages at both MoPH, caused by civil servant absenteeism amidst a financial crisis, and the Project Management Unit (PMU), which had vacancies in crucial positions until December 2023. In addition, the recent conflict that escalated in September 2024 and caused significant damages to the health sector, impacted the progress of most operations in the country including this project.
Project Restructuring: The MoPH requested project restructuring which consists of (i) reallocating funds across components and disbursement categories; (ii) extending the Project closing date by 15 months, from September 30, 2024, to December 30, 2025; and (c) revising the results framework (RF). The restructuring was approved on September 24, 2024.
Project Progress:
- During the last six months, the MoPH showed progress in procurement activities. The MoPH submitted an updated procurement plan, which was cleared by the WB. The Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) was submitted as well. The Project Operations Manual (POM) has been prepared by the PMU and cleared by WB. The POM will be revised as per the restructuring and is expected to be submitted by January 31, 2025.
- To expedite the implementation of Project activities, the MoPH sent a letter to the Bank requesting Hands-on Expanded Implementation Support (HEIS) from the Bank on July 25,2024, to support the preparation of the following three procurement packages: (1) Procurement of UltraSound/ Digital X-Ray/Fluoroscopy Digital/Echocardiography machine, (2) Procurement of Prenatal Intensive Care Units/Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and (3) Procurement of CT Scan 128 Slices. The request was approved on January 16, 2025. The bidding documents are under preparation, with two packages expected to be launched in February, and the third in March 2025.
- Additionally, the MoPH requested financing of 128 dialysis machines and 9 Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. As of January 10, 2025, 99 dialysis machines were received. The remaining 39 machines are expected to be received by February 8, 2025. The RO systems are expected to be delivered by end of July 2025.
PMU Staffing: The procurement officer, financial officer, financial assistant and monitoring and evaluation officer are on board. Due to the war situation, the project manager resigned from her position end of September 2024. The selection of the new project manager is ongoing and is expected to be on board by end of January 2025. The recruitment of environment and social officer and the administrative assistant is underway.
Relevant Documents: