Category: General

The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firass Al-Abiad, accompanied by WHO representative in Lebanon Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar and the German Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Kurt Georg Stoeckl-Stillfried, visited the Ministry of Public Health’s Central Drug Warehouse for the handing over of trauma and emergency surgical kits (TESK) procured through WHO under the readiness and response plan in the face the ongoing border conflict.

Minister Al-Abiad affirmed “the Ministry’s keenness to continue ensuring high readiness for the health sector in Lebanon so that it can meet the current emergency needs and any future needs in the event of the development of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon.” He thanked the German Embassy and the World Health Organization for the support represented by the donation of supplies, pointing out the many German initiatives regarding the health system, whether regarding government hospitals or supplying primary care centers with solar energy. Dr. Al-Abiad noted that the World Health Organizati
on stands by Lebanon in the various accumulated and successive health crises, as the organization spares no effort to support the Lebanese health system.

WHO procured and delivered to the MOPH central drug warehouse, ten trauma and emergency surgical kits through WHO’s Duba Hub. Each trauma Kit contains medication, supplies, and surgical tools, to meet the needs of 50 patients requiring surgical care in emergency situations with total 100 surgical procedures. The trauma and emergency surgical kits will be distributed to 10 MOPH-designated hospitals as part of the emergency contingency plan. The donation of trauma kits by the German government will help in managing mass casualties and saving lives. MoPH and WHO are thankful for the German government’s contribution in the overall health sector, particularly during the COVID-19 response in Lebanon.

In turn, the German Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Kurt Georg Stoeckl-Stillfried, affirmed his country’s support to WHO’s and the Ministry of Public Health’s collaborat
ive efforts to provide emergency healthcare services. Germany is grateful to be able to contribute to WHO’s crucial work here in Lebanon to serve the most vulnerable in health emergencies and to support the promise of health care for all even in crisis situations.

Commenting on WHO’s commitment to leave no one behind, Dr. Abdinasir stated, ‘Lebanon’s people have experienced a lot of suffering over the past few years due to the overlap of several crises, which ultimately impacted to health system in the country. Our commitment is to support the Ministry of Public Health in ensuring equitable access to health care for all. In the event of a conflict escalation, we are committed to ensuring the implementation of the preparedness and response plan.’

After the August 4 explosions that destroyed the Central Drug Warehouse, WHO initiated the reconstruction of the warehouse and increased the storage capacity from 600 m3 to 8,000 m3. The team of engineers supervised by WHO rebuilt the warehouse with the highest stan
dard and safety measures as well as modernizing the storage and distribution capacities of the warehouse. Central Drug Warehouse utilizes Logistics Management System software to enhance the delivery and monitoring of medical supplies.

Today, the world is commemorating Universal Health Day 2023 with theme of ‘Health For All: Time for Action.’ The UHC’s main goal is to ensure that all Lebanese have access to essential healthcare and medicine without financial hardship, and this donation will make a significant contribution to achieve the goal.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

The American University of Beirut hosted the fourth edition of its highly anticipated President’s Innovation Challenge at the Beirut Digital District. The event showcased groundbreaking ideas and solutions developed by some of the brightest minds, all vying for the prestigious awards.

‘This forum not only showcases groundbreaking ideas, but is a rallying call; it is urging talents to surface, creativity to unfold, optimism to grow, and transformative research to take center stage in ways that can be practically impactful,’ said Dr. Fadlo Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut.

The challenge yearly gathers startups from the AUB community – including students, staff, faculty members, and alumni – with innovative ideas that can be developed into a scalable and financially sustainable business model, which in turn can have a considerable impact on people’s lives and well-being.

‘The President’s Innovation Challenge is not just a competition; it’s a call to action, an invitation to our community
‘s brilliant minds to contribute transformative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,’ said Dr. Yousif Asfour, American University of Beirut’s chief innovation and transformation officer.

119 applicants with great ideas competed, which were narrowed down to the 10 finalists who pitched on the final day. The process was made up of two selection stages, involving expert judges, as well as the help of L2C Partners, AUB’s innovation partner in the US. Since June, the participating startups had gone through a rigorous capacity-building process and extensive mentorship before arriving at this final stage.

The startups competed in 4 areas this year: Healthtech, social innovation, artificial intelligence, and Web3. The drill consisted of the usual 3-minute pitch, followed by a QandA session with the jury.

The Advanced Stage Award, worth $30,000, went to DOODA Solutions, a woman-led earthworm farm dedicated revolutionizing sustainable agriculture by harnessing the power of earthworms. The Early-Stage A
ward, worth $15,000, went to LUXEED, who offer a herbicide-free approach to weed control.

The Chinyeh Hostler Award for Social Innovation worth $10,000, went to Parency, a platform that consolidates professionals in the fields of perinatal and parental care.

As for The People’s Choice Award, where the public got to vote for their favorite team, the award went to Dekenet Al Ness: a concept that redefines grocery shopping for a sustainable future

All winners will benefit from incubation as well as mentorship support at the Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park.

Other finalists included HeatechsLB, an eco-friendly heating and cooling product; Spreadly, a producer of all-natural nut-based sweet spreads; Dona Leb, seamlessly blending fitness, employee engagement, and social impact; Dox, a battery test planning platform; Optomate, an A.I. powered solution for early detection of eye disease; and Sense BNP, for accurate and rapid detection of heart failure.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

The Jordanian army said on Tuesday it killed several smugglers during dawn clashes that left one of its soldiers dead as a large group of drug dealers crossed the border from Syria.

The army said smugglers, who had infiltrated under cover of heavy fog, fled back into Syria in the incident only a week after three smugglers were shot dead trying to smuggle large quantities of Captagon pills – a mix of amphetamines.

“A clash took place with tens of smugglers who fired at border guards and exploited poor visibility and heavy fog to cross the border. The engagement killed a number of them and the rest forced to flee deep inside Syrian territory,” the army statement said.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Majid Al-Suwaidi, the Director-General of the UAE Presidency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference, stated on Tuesday that the UAE presidency is working on a new draft agreement based on the “red lines” expressed by countries that rejected the proposed initial draft of the climate agreement.

Speaking to journalists on the final day of the conference, he said, “The goal is to reach consensus… We all want to conclude on time, but we all want to achieve the most ambitious possible result. That is our sole objective.”
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

National News Agency correspondent reported that an Israeli enemy drone raided a house in the border town of Blida.

The occupation artillery shelling also targeted Al-Labouneh, outskirts of Naqoura, our correspondent in Tyre reported.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

The ‘Islamic Resistance’ announced in a statement: ‘In support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and in support of their brave and honorable resistance, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance targeted at 1:30 pm on Tuesday 12-12-2023 enemy artillery positions in Khirbet Maar with the appropriate weapons, and achieved direct hits.’
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

22 Palestinian civilians, including children and women, were killed, and others were injured, in the ongoing occupation bombing of homes in the Rafah and Khan Yunis governorates in the southern Gaza Strip.

WAFA correspondent said that 20 civilians were killed, and dozens were injured, when occupation warplanes bombed a number of homes in Rafah. There are still missing people under the rubble, he added.

Two citizens were also killed, and two others were injured, in an Israeli artillery shelling on Khan Yunis.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

National News Agency’s correspondent in Merjeyoun reported that an Israeli enemy shell fell between the outskirts of the southern border towns of Houla and Mays al-Jabal.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

National News Agency’s correspondent in Merjeyoun reported that an Israeli enemy shell fell between the outskirts of the southern border towns of Houla and Mays al-Jabal.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

Fluctuations in fuel prices have been observed in Lebanon on Tuesday with a decrease in the cost of 95 octane gasoline by LBP 12,000, 98 octane gasoline by LBP 11,000, and diesel by LBP 8,000. Simultaneously, there has been a noticeable surge in the price of gas cylinders by LBP 3,000. As a result, the revised prices stand as follows:

– 95 Octane Gasoline: LBP 1,529,000

– 98 Octane Gasoline: LBP 1,569,000

– Diesel: LBP 1,521,000

– Gas Cylinder: LBP 939,000
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

A World Health Organization official said on Tuesday that only 11, or less than a third, of Gaza’s hospitals remain partially functional and pleaded for them to remain intact.

“In just 66 days the health system has gone from 36 functional hospitals to 11 partially functional hospitals – one in the north and 10 in the south,” Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, told a U.N. press briefing by videolink from Gaza.

“We cannot afford to lose any health care facilities or hospitals,” he said. “We hope, we plea that this will not happen.”
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

A rocket landed in the vicinity of Yatar Official School on Tuesday hitting the vehicle of the school’s principal shortly after she had exited it.

Fortunately, divine intervention prevented the rocket from exploding, resulting in only material damages and no casualties.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon