Who Are We?
A journey of resilience, innovation, and impact.
The Beginning
A group of young men and women, with different backgrounds and unique characters, came along carrying common values and principles in a time of crisis in their country. They focused on the health coverage crisis they experienced and suffered from. They agreed that the only solution was to find or build one. Thus, Oummal was born in 2010, aiming to provide healthcare coverage for workers and self-employed individuals who lacked access.
After three years of planning and going through the registration process to give legitimacy to their work, they realized that while legitimacy is important, the rightful claim to healthcare does not always require a legal framework. The practice of a right is stronger than its legal recognition.
2014 - The Mutual Fund
In 2014, Oummal launched its first program, "Ta ydal l3amel, 3amel", with the Mutual Fund. It aimed to meet the healthcare needs of small business owners, self-employed workers, and their families by bridging the gap caused by the lack of universal health coverage.
Through symbolic monthly subscriptions, members received coverage for hospitalization costs, 50% of radiographs and lab tests, and access to Ministry of Public Health services.
Fighting Hospital Violations
The Mutual Fund program received a huge number of calls from patients not affiliated with the Fund, reporting hospital violations, including denied admissions and forced pre-payments.
During three additional years of research, Oummal identified the flaws in Lebanon’s health coverage system, proving that workers could receive coverage under the Ministry of Public Health without relying on favors or private funds.
2019 - National Observatory
Lebanon lacked a dedicated platform to defend patient rights. Oummal responded by launching the National Observatory for Universal Health Coverage and its hotline #2424, a center for hospital complaints equipped with the latest technology to combat violations.
With support from civil society, media, and state institutions, Oummal took legal action against non-compliant hospitals, helping to shift power dynamics in favor of patients.
2021 - 1214 COVID-19 Hotline
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oummal was entrusted with managing the Ministry of Public Health’s 1214 vaccination hotline. With only six employees, the team handled over 6,000 calls in three days.
To meet demand, Oummal:
- Developed an electronic case-tracking system for vaccine requests.
- Secured additional funding to increase call agents to 12.
- Created online forms for vaccination exception requests.
Our Philosophy
"Hope is not a dream; it is a lamp to realize dreams. The world always makes way for those who know where they are going."
Oummal believes that hard times will pass, and we must turn challenges into opportunities. Our commitment is to support state institutions for the benefit of the people.
"If I do not rise, if you do not rise, and if he does not rise, who will carry the torch of hope in this darkness?"
Nationality is not just a word—it is a way of life. At Oummal, we refuse to play the role of the victim. We act with perseverance and work to create meaningful change.