Hospital of the Sisters of the Cross – Deir El-Qamar  

History of the hospital

In 1933, Abouna Yaacoub built, in Deir El-Qamar, an institution for the elderly, for mentally and physically disabled girls suffering from all kind of chronic diseases… In 1937, the institution expanded to include, in addition to female patient residence, an internal school for orphan girls, offering them primary education and vocational training, while trying to compensate the affection and love of the family.

The orphanage remained in the vicinity of the institution till 1971, when the girls were transferred to Brummana and the institution was further expanded for the female patients. During the Lebanese war in 1975, one of the buildings was transformed into a field hospital that received the wounded and sick, and provided them with the first and most urgent aid, for the region was besieged. During the 1983 war, thousands of citizens from fifty-six mountain villages sought refuge in Deir el-Qamar, where the Sisters devoted themselves to their service without discrimination of any sect or identity; as they shared with them, in addition to fear, blockade and hunger, what existed in the institution as clothing, means of heating and foodstuffs…

In 1998, with the return of security and the easy access to medical institutions, and because of lack of space and of technical and material means, the Congregation decided to close the health hospital and kept only the possibility of admission for simple emergency cases at the dispensary. 

The hospital today

In order for the institution to be able to fully pursue its mission with the disabled girls, it was urgent to begin the restoration of all the buildings, a large part of which had collapsed over the years. After long studies, the engineers prepared a new file, according to the urgent and missing needs, and to the way the services should be interconnected, with the aim of facilitating the work, and this, in compliance with the standards of the institutions which take care of people with disabilities. Therefore, with the help of our generous benefactors, the project was carried out in stages, until the hospital was completed by its various services with 290 beds. Note that this project has created an atmosphere of joy and comfort for disabled patients and staff, thus fulfilling the mission of the Founder, Blessed Abouna Yaacoub.

Hospital services: Saint-Joseph Pavilion, Saydet el Talleh Pavilion, Our Lady of Lourdes Pavilion, Sainte-Rita Pavilion.