Nasrallah: The Key Role of Primary Healthcare Centers Prevents Hospitalization

Hosted by the Sidon Municipality and Dr. Nizar Bzri Center for Primary Healthcare, with the sponsorship and attendance of Minister of Health Dr. Rakan Nasrallah, the ceremony illuminated Sidon's Sea Castle to mark World Patient Safety Day, sending a message of light and hope for healing to every patient.

The event featured distinguished attendees alongside the Minister of Health, including MPs Dr. Abdul Rahman Bzri and Dr. Michel Mousa, Mayor of Sidon Engineer Mustafa Hijazi, several mayors, Director of Primary Healthcare Dr. Randa Hamada, Dr. Mona Othman representing the American University of Beirut Hospital, members of the municipal council, a representative from the World Health Organization, civil society organizations, hospital and healthcare institution directors and representatives, emergency services personnel, and members of the municipal health committee.

The ceremony began with the Lebanese national anthem performed by the Muslim Scouts Musical Ensemble. This was followed by an opening welcome speech by Dr. Taysir Zaatari, Chair of the Municipal Health Committee, who highlighted the committee’s vision for Sidon and its surrounding areas to achieve sustainable health and well-being.

Dr. Randa Hamada and Dr. Mona Othman then delivered speeches emphasizing "the central medical and health role of primary healthcare in Lebanon, and the integrated, collaborative work within the healthcare system among various institutions and hospitals to ensure service quality and patient safety."

The speeches concluded with a message from Minister of Health Rakan Nasrallah, who conveyed "a message of love and appreciation to the city of Sidon, its municipality, and all its actors and institutions that have consistently demonstrated humanitarian support during every crisis—most recently standing firm against the repercussions of the ongoing war in southern Lebanon."

Minister Nasrallah affirmed "the fundamental role of primary healthcare centers in providing medical, health, treatment, and medication services to thousands of patients, thereby preventing a large number from reaching the hospitalization stage." From this perspective, he highlighted "the Ministry of Health’s vision to increase financial ceilings for primary healthcare centers and support them with equipment and medicines to serve the largest possible segment of the Lebanese population."

At the end of the ceremony, the Minister joined attendees in illuminating Sidon’s Sea Castle amid an atmosphere filled with hope, at a historic site symbolizing authenticity and resilience spanning 6,000 years, connecting the city’s bright present with its future.