Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Firas Al-Abyad, started an official visit to Paris today, Monday, which will last for several days. During this visit, he will meet with the Minister Delegate for Health, Frédéric Valletoux, to discuss the framework agreement signed between the Lebanese and French Ministries of Health. He will also hold a series of meetings with French institutions and bodies aimed at assessing existing cooperation frameworks and exploring future project prospects related to the health sector in the context of implementing the National Health Strategy 2030. The discussions will focus on ways to develop the health sector, organize mechanisms for its development and financing, and benefit from the French experience in this field. The accompanying delegation includes international technical expert and advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr. Pierre Anhoury.
Among the key stops of the visit is a meeting at the Pasteur Institute to follow up on the implementation of the agreement regarding the development of the central laboratory in cooperation with the World Health Organization. A group of staff has begun training, and basic equipment has been secured in preparation for completing the necessary steps to reopen the laboratory.
The agenda also includes discussions at the French Development Agency (AFD) regarding projects related to supporting public hospitals, improving staff performance, and enhancing primary healthcare centers.
Al-Abyad will allocate a significant portion of the visit to explore ways to implement the national cancer plan through meetings with the National Cancer Institute (INCA) and the Curie Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment.
His discussions at the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) will address the hospital accreditation program and its inclusion of public hospitals, especially since the agency specializes in setting quality and accreditation standards for the health sector. In support of hospitals, Minister Al-Abyad will meet officials from the ANAP agency responsible for defining service standards provided by hospitals, as well as the EHESP center involved in training the directors of these hospitals.
The discussions will also include the national blood safety program during meetings held by Minister Al-Abyad at the French Blood Agency (EFS).
Additionally, the Minister of Health will meet with the Lebanese medical community in France, marking a foundational step to establish a cooperation mechanism between Lebanese medical communities abroad and the Lebanese health sector, and preparing for the launch of activities in this regard next summer.
