The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Firas Al-Abiad, emphasized that "patients, especially kidney dialysis and cancer patients, are a red line for the Ministry of Health." He confirmed the commitment to provide comprehensive care to assist them in the difficult circumstances they are facing due to their medical struggles, adding that "the ministry insists on providing services to them with everything necessary in collaboration with government hospitals that are fulfilling their duties without negligence and are appreciated for their efforts."
The Minister visited four government hospitals in the north to inaugurate new departments and enhance existing ones with modern equipment to secure services for the Lebanese people and residents, as part of a plan to meet the needs of patients, especially those from the most vulnerable classes. The tour included the Ehden Government Hospital, where he received medical equipment provided by Japan, as well as the Tripoli Hospital, "Orange Nassau," and Tannourine.
In the Tripoli Government Hospital and the chemotherapy and kidney dialysis centers at the Tripoli University Government Hospital, Minister Al-Abiad inspected the newly established King Salman Kidney Dialysis Center and the Relief and Humanitarian Works Center, noting that "the center meets a significant need, especially given the challenges faced by kidney dialysis patients, particularly in some private hospitals that require financial differences."
He also visited the chemotherapy department for cancer patients and the diagnostic and radiotherapy departments. Al-Abiad expressed pride in the services provided by the Tripoli University Government Hospital for cancer treatment, stating that it has become one of the most important treatment centers in the northern region. He said: "We commend the team working in these centers and other departments of the hospital; they are fighting with their own flesh in difficult circumstances, but the administration and the ministry are doing everything possible to support the efforts of the workers, which no one can compensate for, but we try to help as much as we can."
He also thanked international partners standing alongside the ministry during these challenging times, specifically mentioning the French Development Agency (AFD) and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which, with the support of the French and Saudi states, are presenting a large project in this hospital to develop and improve services, thereby increasing the capacity of the hospital to meet the growing needs in Lebanon, especially in the north.
### Inauguration of the Chemotherapy Department at Orange Nassau
Al-Abiad inaugurated the chemotherapy department at "Orange Nassau," stating in a speech that the support provided by the Ministry of Public Health to hospitals in the north reflects its determination to fulfill its duties towards its people in Lebanon, regardless of their affiliations and backgrounds, whether Lebanese or residents of Lebanon, despite all the known difficult circumstances.
He pointed out that "the government hospitals that stood by their people during the toughest times of Covid-19 remain at the forefront alongside their citizens in challenging diseases, especially cancer and kidney dialysis patients, to provide medical services at the highest levels of quality and lowest costs, and sometimes without any financial differences."
Al-Abiad praised the "importance of this ongoing cooperation with civil society organizations like Lebanon Center AID," noting that the Ministry of Health, with all its efforts, cannot provide all these services without the collaboration and support of community sectors. He remarked, "Despite all the breakdowns witnessed in various sectors, the healthcare system continues to resist and fulfill its duties. There may be shortcomings in some areas due to limited resources that hinder the ability to meet all needs, but despite these limitations, the projects we are inaugurating will help the health system stand alongside its people and could be a starting point for building the new Lebanon that we all deserve and hope for a brighter and better tomorrow."
