Ministry of Health Launches National Awareness Initiative on Childhood Cancer

The Ministry of Public Health and the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer (CCCL) launched the national awareness initiative on childhood cancer under the slogan "Cancer doesn't wait, neither should we. Know the signs, act fast" during a conference held today at the center's headquarters in Horre, Beirut, with the sponsorship of Minister of Public Health Dr. Rakan Nassar Din, represented by General Director of the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Wiam Abu Hamdan, and attended by Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee Mr. Suleiman Al-Zahni, along with several officials, representatives from partner hospitals, professional associations, health bodies, diplomatic corps, partners, and media.

The conference witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Public Health and the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer, marking a step toward strengthening national collaboration in childhood cancer, enhancing awareness of disease signs and symptoms, promoting early diagnosis and referral, and improving timely access to specialized care. Under this partnership, the Ministry of Public Health, supported technically and professionally by the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer, will assume responsibility for national leadership, strategic guidance, and institutional coordination, ensuring alignment of the initiative with national priorities and strategies in pediatric cancer care.

In this context, General Director of the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Wiam Abu Hamdan, representing the Minister of Public Health, affirmed the ministry's firm commitment to ensuring no child is denied treatment due to financial reasons, emphasizing that improving outcomes in childhood cancer treatment in the future goes beyond sustaining therapeutic services—it also requires intensifying public awareness, strengthening early diagnosis, developing coordination across sectors, and adopting evidence-based procedures. He stressed that "the ministry continues its commitment to ensuring children with cancer receive necessary healthcare," noting ongoing provision of ministry-approved cancer medications for children, alongside dedicated financial support to the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer under annual contribution agreements.

Abu Hamdan emphasized that "improving outcomes in childhood cancer treatment does not only involve sustaining therapeutic services but also requires intensifying public awareness, strengthening early diagnosis, developing coordination among various sectors, and adopting evidence-based procedures, all contributing to advancing pediatric cancer care services and reinforcing related national health policies."

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer Suleiman Al-Zahni stated that "launching the national campaign and signing the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Public Health represent a crucial step toward building a more coordinated national response to childhood cancer in Lebanon, aiming to enhance awareness, support early diagnosis, ensure timely referrals, and guarantee appropriate healthcare for every child." He noted that "since its establishment in 2002, the Lebanese Center for Childhood Cancer remains committed to providing free treatment and support to children with cancer regardless of nationality, financial status, or background," underscoring that "the treatment journey begins with early recognition of signs and symptoms and rapid access to specialized care, as time is a critical factor in confronting childhood cancer."

He pointed out that "the national program is built on a partnership involving the Ministry of Public Health, hospitals, civil society, and partners to strengthen awareness and improve referral pathways and coordination among different entities," noting that "these efforts are undertaken amid ongoing financial challenges, yet these challenges will not alter the center’s commitment to children and their families."

The initiative will continue over the coming months through programs and activities targeting parents and communities, healthcare professionals, educational institutions, municipalities, the private sector, and partners, aiming to increase knowledge about signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and encourage prompt action when any indicators requiring medical evaluation appear.