The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, has resumed his activities at the ministry following his recovery from the coronavirus. He held an extensive meeting to prepare for the vaccination phase with representatives from various relevant health and medical unions, both civilian and military, in the presence of the chairman of the National Committee for Vaccine Management, Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Bazri, along with several heads of departments and directorates concerned within the Ministry of Health.
The National News Agency indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to agree with the unions on obtaining sectoral registration through lists prepared by the unions and to confirm that "the official registration platform for the vaccine will be launched tomorrow, and that all the platforms circulated thus far are fraudulent to create confusion."
The agency explained that the official platform has features ensuring its effectiveness, as it will use a special system to prevent overlaps in vaccination appointments, with additional waiting lists prepared in case of delays in executing the scheduled appointments. It noted that registered individuals will receive multiple messages throughout the vaccination phase to verify their identity and link them to a personal page to inform them of their appointments, vaccination certificates, and any possible side effects.
Minister Hassan stated that the vaccine management plan to be announced tomorrow will be a pivotal stage based on transparency and fairness in confronting the pandemic and the widespread outbreak in Lebanon, similar to many countries, where Lebanon is part of the ongoing global battle against the virus.
Minister Hassan clarified that all centers rumored to be vaccine references have not yet been confirmed, and these centers will be identified within a clear plan to ensure equitable vaccine distribution in the capital and all Lebanese governorates, emphasizing that there is no need for social media platforms to continue spreading leaks and confusion and engaging in futile debates.
The minister mentioned that the platform to be launched tomorrow will rely on the lists provided by the unions, groups, and administrations, ensuring that their workers and union members are included in a unified sectoral registration, thus alleviating pressure.
He pointed out that scientific and global standards have been adopted in determining the categories included in the initial vaccination phases, including the health sector. He indicated that in Lebanon, a different challenge will rely on statistics indicating high death rates among vulnerable age groups, in addition to patients with chronic and incurable diseases, ensuring that no one threatened by the pandemic and at actual risk to their life is overlooked.
Minister Hamad Hassan noted that the measures adopted by the Lebanese government, supported by the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Head of Government through legislation, facilitation, and financial transfers, have contributed to fulfilling the promise made by the Ministry of Public Health some time ago. Lebanon managed to secure its rights through an agreement with Pfizer and the global vaccine platform to ensure community protection within a reasonable timeframe, stating, “What has been accomplished is a national achievement to be proud of, and the disagreements we see through the media do not spoil the relationship, as we look forward to fulfilling our duty to protect the homeland and citizens with justice, transparency, and equality.”
In a related context, a joint plan has been agreed upon between the Ministry of Public Health and UNRWA to vaccinate Palestinians in Lebanon. The National News Agency reported that the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Dr. Hamad Hassan, held a meeting with a delegation from UNRWA headed by the organization’s Director-General in Lebanon, Claudio Cordone, with the presence of the representative of the World Health Organization in Lebanon, Iman Al-Shanqeeti, and the chairman of the National Committee for Vaccine Management, Dr. Abdel Rahman Al-Bazri.
The agency explained that the joint plan to vaccinate Palestinians in Lebanon is based on three axes: first, assisting in selecting priorities related to the health sector similar to those applied to Lebanese citizens; second, assisting in selecting vaccination centers close to areas densely populated by Palestinians; and third, intensifying communication with the international community and international organizations to support Lebanon’s efforts in including all residents of Lebanon in the vaccination process, including Palestinian and Syrian refugees and individuals from other nationalities.
