Health Minister Launches Harbta Government Hospital Project with Kuwait Fund Support

Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassereddine laid the foundation stone for the Harbta Government Hospital, financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development through a grant from the State of Kuwait worth $4 million, with implementation to be overseen by the Council for Development and Reconstruction.

Prior to the ceremony, a gathering was held on the outskirts of Harbta town, attended by MP Ghazi Zaiter representing Speaker Nabih Berri, Kuwaiti Ambassador Mohammed Sultan Al-Sharji, MPs Hussein Al-Haj Hassan, Melhem Al-Hajjiri, Ali Al-Mikdad, and Yenal Saleh, former minister Hamad Hassan, Deputy Director General of General Security Brigadier General Marwan Soliman, representative of the Director General of General Security Major Ali Mazloum, President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction Mohammad Kabbani, Judge Abbas Sharif, head of municipal affairs in the Amal Movement Bassam Talis, head of the Bekaa Regional Leadership of the Amal Movement Asaad Jafar leading a delegation, head of municipal work Sheikh Mahdi Mustafa, Dean of the Islamic University Dr. Ayman Zaiter, Secretary-General of the National Flag Party Ali Hijazi, and other dignitaries.

Nassereddine

After the playing of the Lebanese and Kuwaiti national anthems, Nassereddine affirmed "the importance of this humanitarian initiative, which came under the guidance of Speaker Nabih Berri and with the sponsorship of brotherly Kuwait and the Kuwait Fund. After efforts to activate unused funds through the Islamic Bank and the Kuwait Fund to enhance the readiness of the public health sector in government hospitals, we succeeded in equipping these hospitals and kept our promise. Today, we lay the foundation stone with sincere intent after securing funding."

He also emphasized "the ministry's role in improving hospitalization services despite our need for financing. We are grateful to brotherly Kuwait and the Kuwait Fund for sponsoring the laying of the foundation stone for Harbta Hospital, and soon for hospitals in Akkar Al-Sahl and Deir El Qamar."

Nassereddine added: "The start of the hospital project began with ministers Hamad Hassan and Firas Abiad, but the obstacle was financing. The construction of the hospital was the first item on the agenda of the Council for Development and Reconstruction, from which approval was granted. We must not lay the foundation stone without securing allocations and ensuring the project becomes a reality."

He noted that "the ministry cannot finance large projects, but we try to invest intentions effectively while continuing to cover healthcare nationwide. Regarding medication, we cannot provide full coverage but rather 95 percent. Regardless of strong will, more funding is required. We thank the Kuwait Fund for providing $4 million, noting that the Ministry of Health will contribute an operational budget to activate the project for the healing of every patient and needy person in the national balance, as in Akkar and Deir El Qamar."

Kuwaiti Ambassador

Ambassador Al-Sharji praised "the brotherly Lebanese role in standing alongside Kuwait, the first state to recognize Kuwait's independence before standing with Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion. Kuwait was the first to receive Lebanese products and businessmen through the private sector and construction committees," affirming "that today we witness the birth of a health project with the laying of the foundation stone for Harbta Government Hospital, reflecting Kuwait's humanitarian message and its commitment to healthcare and social security for the people of Harbta and the surroundings. Our presence with you today is a renewed confirmation of the depth of relations linking Lebanon and Kuwait, under the care of both countries' leaderships and Kuwait's support for Lebanon in all circumstances uniting the two countries."

Al-Sharji thanked Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine, and the Council for Development and Reconstruction for their fruitful contribution to launching this project, and thanked the residents of Harbta for the reception that reflects the authenticity of the Bekaa region.

Zaiter

Zaiter affirmed that "laying the foundation stone for Harbta Government Hospital is a step in generalizing development projects and expanding the health network at the level of Baalbek-Hermel Governorate, coinciding with our demand to expand the educational network at all stages regarding roads, electricity, and infrastructure, including the completion of the Beirut-Bekaa tunnel. This constitutes a major leap in exiting this area from deprivation, aiming to build needs and address citizens' deprivation, as Baalbek-Hermel deserves it like Akkar on the path of balanced development, since Baalbek-Hermel has been and remains a reservoir for security, military institutions, and resistance."

Zaiter thanked "brotherly Kuwait, which has been and remains the biggest supporter of Lebanon and its people in all crises and hardships, embracing Lebanese people. Lebanon was the first country in this Arab world to stand against the invasion and the aggression carried out by the former Iraqi regime leader when he invaded and occupied the authentic and loyal Arab country."

Kabbani

Kabbani stressed that "the Harbta Government Hospital project represents a joint commitment to serving the region's sons and an important milestone in strengthening the health sector in the Bekaa," noting that "establishing the hospital in Harbta town is a basic need to bring health services closer to citizens and ensure everyone receives necessary medical care."

He clarified that "the hospital will include 15 beds, along with a set of essential medical facilities, including an emergency department, intensive care units, and radiology and surgery departments. After completing construction and equipment, the hospital will constitute an important health facility to provide services and healthcare to the people of the Bekaa."

Kabbani pointed out that "the importance of the project goes beyond establishing a medical facility; it forms an investment in humans, contributing to job creation and meeting the needs of the region's sons, especially given the difficult conditions facing Lebanon."

He indicated that "the cost of the project is approximately four million US dollars, provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development."

Kabbani thanked "brotherly Kuwait for supporting infrastructure projects in Lebanon, reflecting the importance of partnership in implementing projects that respond to the needs and priorities of local communities."

He also thanked all partners who contributed to achieving the project, foremost among them the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the State of Kuwait, represented by Ambassador Mohammed Sultan Al-Sharji, Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassereddine, and everyone who worked to realize this project in response to the needs of the local community in the Bekaa.