A Vital Initiative for Public Health Employees

The Minister of Public Health, Rakan Nassar Din, launched the "Nafas" initiative – toward healthier government work environments – developed by the Primary Healthcare Directorate within the ministry in partnership with several stakeholders, including the Healthy Habitat Association and the Department of Family Medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB).

The initiative aims to support employees of the Ministry of Public Health, enhance their health, prevent non-communicable chronic diseases, and ensure a better working environment. This first model step is intended to be expanded later to other ministries and public institutions.

This initiative forms the cornerstone of the Primary Healthcare (PHC) referral system, ensuring employees have a clear and sustainable pathway for continuous care. Prevention and health promotion are the most cost-effective investments in building a resilient society.

The launch event was attended by the Director General of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Wiam Abu Hamdan; Dr. Ahmad Zawiten, WHO Representative in Lebanon; heads of departments and divisions; and ministry staff.

Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassar Din emphasized in his speech: "Our ministry employees perform their duties under intense pressure, facing daily challenges and heavy responsibilities," noting they have consistently been on the front lines during all crises Lebanon has endured. He stated: "Even if we cannot improve financial conditions, we must work to improve the work environment." He added that he personally follows up daily to improve employee conditions and provide incentives and financial improvements as much as possible.

He clarified the goals of the 'Nafas' initiative, stating it "started from the principle that every employee of the Ministry of Public Health should be in good health," highlighting that it "connects ministry employees to primary healthcare centers and enables them to access services, medications, and health packages free of charge through these centers."

He urged employees to take advantage of these services, noting that "available resources can also cover medical and humanitarian cases affecting family members, within the scope of existing health capacities."

He explained that "the initiative serves as an initial model within the Ministry of Public Health, which will later be scaled up across other public and governmental institutions and ministries," emphasizing that "the public sector deserves care and attention." He said: "My father served in the military, and I understand the meaning of public service and its sacrifices. At the very least, we must provide employees with decent, quality healthcare. I hope this model takes off and expands, knowing the journey is long but essential to begin and fulfill our duty."

The Minister concluded his speech with a message to ministry employees: "Take a breath," urging them simultaneously to allow visitors to the ministry to "take a breath" as well. He stressed that "working at the Ministry of Public Health is fundamentally a human and ethical mission aimed at helping others." He invited all government and non-governmental sectors interested in adopting this initiative to contact the Primary Healthcare Directorate at the Ministry of Public Health (01 830 370).

Randa Hamada

Dr. Randa Hamada, Head of the Primary Healthcare Directorate, opened the session by clarifying: "The initiative does not replace clinics, hospitals, or healthcare centers, but rather complements them by providing preventive care and improving the work environment for employees."

She explained that "in implementing the initiative within the Ministry of Public Health, a Health Screening and Awareness Room was established within the Primary Healthcare Directorate, offering preventive screenings, early detection of risk factors and mental health issues, counseling, and referrals when needed to the primary healthcare network, making this room the main gateway for the referral system within the workplace. Concurrently, shared spaces were developed across the ministry using simple solutions, including attention to green areas around the building, promoting movement and comfort, and enabling healthy food choices."

She said: "We believe investing in employee health is investing in institutional sustainability and community well-being. We aim for 'Nafas' to become a national model scalable to other government institutions through active partnerships with NGOs and international organizations."

Mona Othman

Dr. Mona Othman from the Department of Family Medicine at the American University of Beirut presented a technical overview of the initiative, stressing its importance in disease prevention. She noted that "Nafas detects risk factors early and encourages employees to maintain their health," adding: "More than 75% of deaths in Lebanon are due to non-communicable chronic diseases," and affirmed that "maintaining employee health is fundamental to sustaining their productivity."