The lack of specialized pediatric cardiac surgeons in Lebanon: a humanitarian catastrophe

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a major public health concern, as it is the most common birth defect and the leading cause of death in the first year of life if adequate surgical interventions were not provided. Unfortunately, in Lebanon, a country that has been assailed by devastating social and economic crises, many specialized Lebanese pediatric heart surgeons fled abroad to secure more stable careers. This has led to the death of many newborns with CHDs. Public health authorities must find urgent solutions for this national tragedy that is projected to last for years.