Nasrallah: Ministry Achievements Serve as a Model for Public-Private Partnership

Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasrallah toured Akkar, starting at the municipal palace of Assam Faris in Halba, then moving to Akkar Governorate Health Center, followed by the Abdullah al-Rasi Governmental Hospital in Halba, and finally reaching Saida Al-Salam Hospital in Qbiyat to inaugurate the kidney dialysis and eye care departments.

He was welcomed at the Assam Faris municipal palace in Halba by MPs Waled Bawari and Ahmad Rastam, Mayor Abdul Hamid Ahmed al-Halabi of Halba, President of the Nahr al-Ishtawan Municipalities Union Omar Sa'id al-Hayek, representative of the Grand Mufti of Akkar Sheikh Dr. Zaid Muhammad Bakar Zakaria, Sheikh Khalid Ismail, priest of the Halba parish Father Fouad Mkhoul, members of the Nasrallah and Jafar families, mayors, municipal council members, sheikhs, and social activists.

Al-Halabi welcomed the Minister of Health, praising his attention to Halba and its hospital, calling for "enhancing the hospital's capabilities, providing medical, nursing, and administrative staff, as well as supporting health inspectors and completing the state's administrative presence in Akkar."

On his part, Nasrallah affirmed that "Halba and Akkar have a rightful claim on the state and the Ministry of Health," expressing his commitment to "supporting the Abdullah al-Rasi Governmental Hospital in Halba and strengthening its role in serving the region's residents."

At the end of the meeting, al-Halabi presented the Minister of Health a commemorative plaque.

Akkar Governorate Health Center

At the Akkar Governorate Health Center, Nasrallah was received by former MP Hadi Habash, Judge Doctor Hassan al-Adra, doctors, and local activists.

Al-Adra praised the "on-the-ground presence of the Minister of Health and his concern for the health situation in Akkar," noting that "citizen health has become a top priority in the ministry’s work," and highlighted the modern equipment and supplies secured for the Abdullah al-Rasi Governmental Hospital.

He emphasized the "importance of full health coverage in government hospitals and preventing any unlawful discrimination among patients," affirming that "patient dignity is a red line."

In a symbolic gesture, al-Adra draped the Minister of Health with an Arabic thobe and presented him with a Quran and memorabilia.

Nasrallah thanked the Akkar Governorate Health Center for its efforts, acknowledging the "administrative and medical dedication under difficult economic conditions and limited resources."

Abdullah al-Rasi Governmental Hospital

From the Akkar Governorate Health Center, the Minister of Health proceeded to the Abdullah al-Rasi Governmental Hospital in Halba, where he was greeted by MPs Waled Bawari, Ahmad Rastam, Asef Dargham, Muhammad Yahiya, former MP Hadi Habash, Director of the Tripoli Governmental Hospital Nasser Adra, Mayor Abdul Hamid al-Halabi of Halba, Hospital Director Dr. Muhammad Khudrin, Doctor Hassan al-Adra from Akkar, and several doctors and medical and social figures.

Nasrallah toured the hospital wards with Khudrin and inaugurated the catheterization department, announcing that "the first catheterization procedure in Akkar will be performed at the hospital on the eleventh of next month."

He also inspected imaging departments and medical equipment, noting the presence of advanced and unique devices in Lebanon.

He stressed that "ministry capacities and available budget remain limited, yet work continues to strengthen the hospital and improve its services, given Akkar’s urgent need and its central role in regional healthcare delivery."

Qbiyat

From Halba, the Minister of Health traveled to Saida Al-Salam Hospital in Qbiyat, where he inaugurated the kidney dialysis and eye care departments—a move aimed at expanding specialized medical services within Akkar and alleviating the suffering of patients forced to travel long distances for treatment.

The event was attended by MPs Bawari, Jimmy Jabour, Rastam, Habash, Maronite Catholic Bishop General of Akkar Archbishop Elias Jurjis, Mother Nazeha Khourey, General Director of the Jesuit University Network–Hotel Dieu de France Naseeb Nassar, Doctor Hassan al-Adra, Executive Director of Saida Al-Salam Hospital Georges Hakim, and official, religious, social figures, and mayors.

Hakim affirmed that the inauguration of the two departments marks "a new milestone in the hospital’s journey," noting that "the hospital’s continued provision of medical services makes it a beacon of hope and a safe haven for the region’s people."

He explained that "the setup of the kidney dialysis and eye care departments was carried out in cooperation with the Antonine Sisters Association, St. Joseph Hospital, and Hotel Dieu de France, providing specialized services for Akkar’s residents and reducing their burden of traveling outside the region."

Nassar clarified that "healthcare for partner institutions is not merely a medical service but a human responsibility and value," emphasizing that "patients must remain the top priority."

He confirmed ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Minister Nasrallah, noting that "the kidney dialysis unit was a fundamental need for the region’s population."

Mother Khourey affirmed that "Saida Al-Salam Hospital is part of the Jesuit University Network and Hotel Dieu de France," thanking "all those who contributed to this partnership and the setup of the departments."

Nasrallah reiterated that "the suffering of kidney dialysis patients in Akkar is significant," stressing that "the opening of the kidney dialysis and eye care departments constitutes a vital service for the region and helps alleviate the burden of travel for patients and their families."

He revealed that "the Ministry of Health will cover 250 kidney dialysis sessions monthly at Saida Al-Salam Hospital in Qbiyat at its own expense and will monitor any additional needs of the hospital," stating: "We are proud of this partnership."

He pointed out that "Akkar suffers from deprivation, and its health needs require more than one government hospital," noting that "the 2027 budget process has made a significant difference in the reality of government hospitals, while the social dimension still requires broader attention, pending the enactment of comprehensive health coverage legislation."

He stressed that "the public-private partnership established by the Ministry of Health is the path toward rebuilding Lebanon," affirming that "in light of the country’s current crises, the state has no choice but to rely on scientific and human expertise and leverage it to develop vital sectors, foremost among them the health sector."

At the end of the tour, Nasrallah and attendees cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the kidney dialysis and eye care departments, then toured both departments, inspecting their equipment and the services they will provide to residents of Qbiyat and Akkar."