Caretaker Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas Abyad, inaugurated a project for renewable energy systems (solar) and improving energy efficiency in Siblin Governmental Hospital, funded by Germany through the German Development Bank, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program in Lebanon, and in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon. A ceremony took place at the Spleen Town Hall.
In his speech, Al-Abyadh expressed his satisfaction with securing renewable energy for Siblin Hospital, considering that it is part of the Ministry of Health’s project to support government hospitals, which includes 15 government hospitals in Lebanon, including Siblin, in cooperation with partners to support the government hospital sector.
Abyad thanked the friendly and brotherly countries and donors that provide assistance to the Ministry of Health, “so that hospitals can withstand,” pointing out that “Siblin Governmental Hospital set an excellent example for government hospitals through good management and embrace from the civil society, actors and leaders.”
And he considered that “the biggest patient that we see today is the homeland,” and he said: “Lebanon is the sick homeland,” noting that “the way to restore health to our homeland lies in restoring health to its institutions, making good use of resources, rationalizing spending, focusing on basic services, and supporting government hospitals.” Publicly, we will return Lebanon to what it was before, because we need to put our hands in the hands of each other, in order to reach solutions that move our country to a better situation.
Minister Abyad praised the previous administration of the hospital headed by the late Dr. Ahmed Abu Harfush, and the current administration, “which seeks to raise the level of the hospital and advance it despite all the difficulties and multiple crises.” And he expressed his satisfaction with what the Ministry of Health is doing in partnership with the Parliamentary Health Committee headed by Dr. Bilal Abdullah and the rest of the parties, to move this sector towards the best, thanking the bodies supporting this project.
In her turn, the Director of the United Nations Development Program, Melanie Hoenstein, presented the stages of the project, and talked about its importance in “reducing the burden on the hospital fund,” announcing a number of similar projects that will be implemented in other government hospitals.
A speech was made by Representative Abdullah on behalf of Representative Taymour Jumblatt, in which he assured the hospital workers and the board of directors and management that “the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, was by the side of the hospital and will remain by its side, even in the darkest circumstances,” praising the efforts and sacrifices of the late former director of the hospital. Dr. Ahmed Abu Harfoush. He added: “Siblin Hospital is the main haven for the largest segment of people, so thanks to everyone who stood by it, and alongside our people in Iqlim al-Kharoub without discrimination, including personalities, parties, political forces, international institutions, and even the expatriate in Jiyyeh, who contributed with us in securing the hospital’s electricity.” This is an indication that when there is a national affiliation, all sensitivities and details are weakened and we return to the homeland.”
In conclusion, shields were presented to each of Minister Abyad, MP Jumblatt, the German ambassador and the director of the United Nations Program.