HEALTH INSURANCE IS ESSENTIAL. LEBANESE HOSPITALS ARE WELL-EQUIPPED AND MODERN AND DOCTORS ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED. ALL DOCTORS SPEAK EITHER ENGLISH OR FRENCH. PRIVATE HOSPITALS REQUIRE PROOF OF THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY THE BILL BEFORE PROVIDING TREATMENT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ALSO. BEST HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY ARE HOTEL DIEU IN ACHRAFIEH, BEIRUT AND THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY/AUB HOSPITAL IN HAMRA, BEIRUT.