Through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Program (GGP), Japan supported Rafic Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, to provide advanced medical equipment for its critical care unit. Rafic Hariri University Hospital has been offering excellent quality of medical treatments and health follow up at affordable price to people from all over Lebanon. Through this assistance, more than 1,500 vulnerable patients will have access to safe and advanced medical care.

On 8 September 2022, Ambassador Takeshi Okubo attended the project inauguration ceremony at Rafic Hariri University Hospital, in the presence of the Minister of Public Health Representative, Director of Medical Care, Dr. Joseph Helou and the Hospital’s Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Jihad Saadeh.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Japan and Lebanon, followed by congratulatory remarks from Ambassador Okubo, Dr. Helou and Dr. Saadeh and a tour in the hospital.

In his speech, Ambassador Okubo commended the hospital’s pivotal role in improving the standard of medical care in the country and highlighted the Japanese Government’s recent support to the hospital, including the provision of solar panel systems to help alleviate the repercussions of the electricity shortages that affect the provision of essential healthcare services. Dr. Saadeh, in return, thanked Japan for its generous support, highlighting the people of Japan’s empathy towards Lebanon during the current crisis. He also noted the importance of this support to enhance the medical services at Rafic Hariri University Hospital, which plays a pivotal role in the public health sector. Dr. Helou expressed his gratitude towards the several Japanese initiatives towards the health sector in Lebanon, specifically during the crisis, and commented the role of RHUH during the Covid pandemic, reiterating the need of the governmental health sector during the critical times.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon