News

The second session of the first Sidon Health Conference focused on the role of primary healthcare centers and clinics in the city.

Ms. Amani Abou Zeinab, a member of the Sidon Municipality's Health Committee, opened the session with a comprehensive overview of all clinics and healthcare centers, including their departments, specialties, and available health programs.

Representatives from seven participating healthcare institutions then presented detailed examples highlighting the scope and quality of their health, treatment, medication, laboratory, and radiology services within their limited resources. They also outlined a number of essential needs to ensure the continuity of their regular operations.

The presentations were delivered by: Mr. Hassan Abou Zeid (Al-Hussein Medical Center), Ms. Tania Roufail (Caritas Sidon), Dr. Reine Tannous (Amel Foundation), Mr. Khodr Ramlawi (Martyr Maarouf Saad Clinic), Dr. Mona Nour El-Din (Dr. Nazih Al-Bizri Medical Center), Ms. Heba Hariri (Abou Marai Charitable Foundation), and Ms. Rasha Mrabet (Hariri Medical and Social Center). Ms. Abu Zeinab then presented an analytical study prepared by the Health Committee, revealing the scale of healthcare and medical operations in these institutions and the material, logistical, and organizational gaps that currently hinder the establishment of a comprehensive healthcare system. She then highlighted the services provided by the public hospital sector, which offers essential services such as emergency care, minor and intermediate surgeries, childbirth, intensive care, and other departments that also require further development. The session concluded by addressing the role of private hospitals in the city, which play a leading role, making Sidon a central hub for major surgeries and the most complex and challenging medical and hospital cases affecting all segments of Lebanese society. This presents us with a range of challenges, most notably the financial ceilings allocated to these hospitals by the Ministry of Health. This paved the way for the final session of the conference, which featured open discussion, demands, and final recommendations.