Rakan Nasreddine Chairs Meeting of Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee to Prepare Implementing Decrees

Minister of Public Health Rakan Nasreddine chaired the first meeting of the Organ Donation and Transplantation Committee established within the ministry. The committee includes physicians and representatives from academic hospitals, with the goal of preparing the necessary implementing decrees to regulate the organ donation sector in Lebanon, so that they can be referred to the Consultative Council and the Council of Ministers for approval and to organize organ donation operations according to the framework defined by these decrees.

The meeting was attended by the Ministry Director General Wi'am Abu Hamdan and the Director of Medical Care Bernard Ghanem.

Nasreddine affirmed that organ donation is one of the most important topics he wishes to give due attention, given its great human value in renewing the chance of life for many patients.

He noted that figures in Lebanon reflect a decline in organ donation operations compared to other countries, which leads to the death of many patients. Furthermore, those undergoing long-term treatments such as dialysis patients live with continuous heavy suffering that often deprives them of their productivity and jobs. Meanwhile, organ transplantation positively changes patients' lives and leads to a significant reduction in therapeutic and hospital bills.

He stated that the decision to reactivate organ transplantation operations was taken alongside parallel decisions to support it, namely:

- Full 100% coverage of transplantation operations at the expense of the ministry.

- Including in the Ministry of Public Health budget an amount dedicated to supporting logistical, administrative, and organizational activities for organ donation.

- Forming the committee whose mission focuses on drafting the necessary regulatory and implementing decrees for the organ donation law.

The Minister of Public Health clarified that the goal is to achieve institutional continuity in organ donation and transplantation operations, provided that the implementing decrees take into account religious and societal standards in Lebanon and prevent any violations in this regard.

A discussion took place among attendees about ways to encourage organ donation through an organized and sustainable mechanism, with meetings to continue in order to reach the required regulatory framework in the shortest possible time.