Table 1 Summary of the contextual background for Quebec and Lebanon

Structure of the healthcare system

Public; meaning that the provincial government is the principal administrator of healthcare services.

Private and public; meaning that healthcare services are provided through both the public and the private sectors.

Coverage of prenatal tests

Prenatal tests are covered by the healthcare system if medically indicated and hence, prescribed by the physician.

As for NIPT, it started to be covered in Quebec for women with high-risk pregnancies in July 2020.

Prenatal tests are generally not covered unless one benefits from a public or a private coverage.

Regarding NIPT, it is paid for out of pocket.

The legal status of abortion

Abortion in Quebec is legal at any time during pregnancy with late term abortions e.i. after 24 weeks, performed in few clinical cases and in restricted number of institutions.

According to the Lebanese penal code, abortion is illegal except to save the mother’s life. However, the law is not enforced, and it is being clinically practiced in a clandestine manner.