407 Strengthening healthcare governance: effective leadership and equitable strategies for universal health coverage through the municipal health committee in Majdal Anjar, Lebanon

PTH 6: Health Policy and Health Services 1, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:30 - 17:30 Aim Lebanon’s healthcare system has been severely impacted by multiple crises, including economic collapse, political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regional conflicts. The fragmentation and privatization of the healthcare sector have weakened service delivery, resulting in shortages of medical supplies, increased out-of-pocket expenses, and reduced access to care for both refugees and host communities. In response, the ReBUILD for Resilience (R4R) Lebanon team implemented Participatory Action Research in Majdal Anjar, leading to the establishment of the Municipal Health Committee (MHC). This initiative aimed to enhance local healthcare governance through evidence-based management, inclusivity, efficiency, and equitable access to quality healthcare. Methods This study draws on process documentation, including meeting minutes, field journal notes, and transcripts of reflective meetings, to examine the MHC’s development, priorities, and impact. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, focusing on governance, resource allocation, and community engagement. Results The MHC has played a crucial role in strengthening local health governance, fostering collaboration with NGOs, and integrating scattered humanitarian efforts into a coordinated health strategy. Through a needs-based resource allocation model, the MHC has improved healthcare access for all residents and initiated community-driven programs, including school health initiatives, health education campaigns, a virtual blood bank, chronic disease medication access, disability support, and national vaccination reactivation. All these plans encompass capacity building, screening and awareness; the centralized results will feed in the referral system and guide the way forward. Additionally, local health centers have partnered with the MHC to establish Health Hubs, offering integrated healthcare services. Conclusion The MHC demonstrates that community-based governance can enhance health system resilience, promote equitable healthcare access, and enable effective crisis response. This model provides a blueprint for strengthening healthcare governance in municipalities, advancing progress toward universal health coverage.