Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Lebanon: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinating Palliative Care and Specialized Medical Support

   • Hospital units and primary healthcare integration: In Lebanon, pain management and complex symptom control are organized through specialized hospital departments and the national healthcare network supervised by the Ministry of Public Health, which integrates palliative care and severe chronic illness protocols into its official clinical guidelines [1] [2].
   • Home-based palliative care: The treating oncologist or specialist can establish a coordinated care plan enabling the patient to remain at home with support from accredited multidisciplinary teams (pain specialists, palliative care nurses, and psychological support services) recognized by the Ministry of Public Health [1] [2].
   • Medical coverage and essential medications: Families should verify hospital and medication coverage rules with the Ministry of Public Health (for patients without private coverage) or with the National Social Security Fund and public sector cooperatives to secure prior authorization for high-cost treatments [2] [4].
2. 2

   Advance Medical Preferences, Informed Consent, and Healthcare Representative

   • Patient rights and informed consent: Under Lebanese Law No. 574 of 11 February 2004 on Patients' Rights and Informed Consent, every capable adult patient has the right to be informed of their diagnosis, to accept or refuse medical procedures, and to express their treatment preferences within healthcare facilities supervised by the Ministry of Public Health [1] [2].
   • Written statement of care preferences: While the patient retains full decision-making capacity, it is advisable to record in writing their preferences regarding the limitation of disproportionate invasive interventions, priority pain relief, and preferred place of care, and to place this statement in the hospital medical file [1] [2].
   • Designating a family medical spokesperson: The patient may formally designate a trusted family member in their hospital file to communicate with the medical team and ensure their clinical wishes are respected if they later become unable to express themselves directly [2].
3. 3

   Notarial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates While Capacity Is Intact

   • Authentic power of attorney before a Notary Public (Katib al-Adl): To prevent administrative or financial freezes, the patient can execute a general or special power of attorney (Wakala) before a Notary Public supervised by the Ministry of Justice while their legal and cognitive capacity remains intact [3].
   • Bedside attendance at home or hospital: If your family member's physical condition prevents travel to a notary's office, a Lebanese Notary Public is legally authorized to attend at the patient's home or hospital bedside to verify mental capacity in person and authenticate the signature [3].
   • Specific banking mandates: In practice, banks operating in Lebanon frequently require that a notarial power of attorney explicitly enumerate banking powers (withdrawals, transfers, account management) or that the account holder sign the bank's own internal power of attorney form while able to do so [3].
4. 4

   Disability Benefits, Health Coverage, and Caregiver Support

   • National Social Security Fund entitlements: If the patient is covered under the salaried employees' scheme, the family can apply to the National Social Security Fund to maintain medical and pharmaceutical coverage and review eligibility for permanent disability allowances or early end-of-service settlement [4].
   • Public sector cooperatives and professional syndicates: Where your family member belongs to the Cooperative of State Employees, the armed forces, or a professional syndicate fund (lawyers, engineers, physicians), submitting a detailed medical report activates severe illness coverage and disability support benefits [4].
   • Leave arrangements and family caregiver support: Salaried family caregivers in Lebanon can request annual leave or flexible working arrangements from their employer supported by hospital medical certificates confirming the need for continuous family assistance [2] [4].
5. 5

   Advance Will Preparation and Civil Status and Estate Documentation

   • Drafting and authenticating a will: In Lebanon, the formal validity of a will and the disposable share of the estate depend on the applicable personal status law (the Civil Inheritance Law of 23 June 1959 for non-Muslim communities or the relevant religious personal status law for Muslim communities). A will may be executed before a Notary Public under the Ministry of Justice or registered with the competent religious court [3].
   • Verifying civil status records: It is advisable to obtain an updated individual civil status record and a family civil status extract (Ikhraj Qayd A'ili) from the Directorate General of Personal Status now to confirm that marriage and children's records are accurately registered [5].
   • Asset inventory and cross-border coordination: Families should compile real estate title deeds, life insurance policies, and bank statements, and arrange consular legalization for any powers of attorney or testamentary instruments if heirs or assets are located outside Lebanon [3] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Primary Healthcare Clinical Protocols and Palliative Care Guidelines — Ministère de la Santé Publique (MOPH)
2. [2]
   Official Portal, Hospital Coverage, and Patients' Rights — Ministère de la Santé Publique (MOPH)
3. [3]
   Notary Public Guide: Authentic Powers of Attorney and Wills — Ministère de la Justice (République Libanaise)
4. [4]
   Health Insurance Coverage and Social Security Entitlements — Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS)
5. [5]
   Civil Status Registers and Family Civil Extracts — Direction Générale de l'État Civil (DGCS)