2023-10-12 15:54:58
The Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government, Firas Al-Abyad, presented the preparations and measures that the ministry has taken and is taking to raise the readiness of the public and private health sector in the event that the situation develops in the south in light of the events in Gaza.
Al-Abyad said in a press conference held at the Ministry of Health: “In the face of the possibility of recent events developing and spreading to Lebanon in light of the disregard for human life and health facilities, it was imperative to strive to raise the readiness of the health system in Lebanon to address any emergency.”
He pointed out that “the public health emergency operations room in the ministry, which was supposed to open soon, has been opened and work has begun to manage the operational health conditions on the ground.”
He pointed out that “the basic step now is coordination with all partners in the health sector, whether workers or hospitals and companies importing and manufacturing medical materials and supplies, as well as international bodies such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Lebanese Red Cross, UNRWA, and Médecins Sans.” borders, the Commission for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and others, as well as donors supporting the health sector with the aim of raising preparedness and preparing the sector for any emergency.”
Al-Abyad explained the steps that the ministry has taken and is taking, saying: “With regard to the issue of medical supplies and infrastructure, we are in contact with the authorities concerned with the local pharmaceutical industry and imports, and we are verifying the available quantities of these medicines or supplies.”
He stated that during his participation in the World Health Organization meetings in Cairo, he “communicated with a number of Arab health ministers, as well as the head of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, which opened the way for bringing in aid that is expected to arrive at the end of this week, which will contribute to increasing the readiness of hospitals and emergency centers to provide first aid.” Or dealing with the wounded.
He pointed out that “the Ministry will provide guidance and training in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the International Red Cross, and aims to prepare the health sector in the event of any increase in the number of infected people.”
As for hospitals, the Minister of Health explained that “the Ministry is in contact with hospitals, and a meeting took place two days ago with government hospitals and yesterday with private hospitals to learn regarding their needs to increase their readiness to receive the wounded and operations, and coverage of these operations was discussed through existing communication with the authorities that It is concerned with health coverage, especially for non-Lebanese.
He stressed that “coordination in the health sector will take place under the management of the Ministry of Public Health and in coordination with other ministries, health care service providers and parties in the health sector,” noting that “the electronic platform in the Ministry of Health will allow for the proper use of available resources, whether human, hospital or health.” “Or other.”
He pointed out that “the Ministry is in the process of preparing for two cases: the first concerns the wounded and the second to ensure the continued provision of medical services on all Lebanese territories in the event of any internal displacement from one region to another.”
He stated, “There will be regular communication with the Ministry of Health, which will ensure that everyone is informed of any new information on a regular basis through the media and social media platforms.”
While he hoped that “the situation would not get worse,” he stressed “the necessity of stopping the attacks and respecting human lives and innocent people,” stressing at the same time “the duty of the Ministry of Health to increase preparedness.”
He concluded: “We never want to cause concern among citizens, but we would like to reassure them that state institutions are trying, despite the difficult circumstances, to carry out their duties to preserve lives.”
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