Belgian Contingent to Close Field Hospital
The Belgian contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Tuesday that the 2nd field hospital at the southern village of Tibnin would close next month.
"The Belgian hospital has been serving the Lebanese since 2006, up to the time when the Belgian government decided to shut it down by the end of February 2009," the contingent said in statement.
It added that the Belgian government is to invest $4 million to rehabilitate the public hospital of Tibnin.
According to an agreement between the Belgian and Lebanese governments, the 2nd Field Hospital would stop receiving cases that require long care beginning February 15.
The hospital is to fully cease providing medical services and consultations beginning March 6.
Moreover, the Belgian-Luxembourg contingent that would replace the current contingent by mid-February would drop down to only 220 elements.
The Belgian government last November decided to move the field hospital with its equipment and personnel to another location in the second half of 2009.