On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Lebanon, Dr. Iman Shankiti, and the Italian Ambassador in Beirut, Nicoletta Bombardiere, signed an agreement of €1,616,000 (about $1,710,000) to support Lebanon’s public health system.
Their joint statement explained, “It has two main pillars: the first is improving the government’s regulatory capacity in terms of access to quality medications, by expanding the pharmaceuticals bar code system at the national level.”
“The second is enhancing the capacity of public hospitals to deliver quality services, by supporting selected public hospitals in terms of emergency care capacity.”
This fund is a continuation of the support of the Italian government to the health system in Lebanon to provide health care for all.
The project will be implemented by WHO and the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Lebanon.
“The goal of the Italian Cooperation is to contribute to global health by promoting universal health coverage, equity, and access to health for all,” said the Italian Ambassador Bombardiere.
The government of Italy has also provided an emergency donation of €500,000 for pediatric cancer medication, which was reportedly delivered to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.