'Health sector vital in countering Israeli aggression, support remains a priority," says Abiad from southern Lebanon

Caretaker Health Minister Firas Abiad visited Marjayoun Governmental Hospital. He inspected its facilities, reviewed its conditions, and met with the hospital’s director and the medical staff, the state-run National News Agency reported Saturday.

The visit marked the first stop of his tour in the South Lebanon and Nabatieh governorates During the visit, Abiad discussed the Health Ministry’s plans to support public hospitals, emphasizing their critical role during the war.

“Public hospitals played a key role during the conflict. The priority for international support to Lebanon will be the health sector, with public hospitals receiving the largest share to ensure they can support residents of the region and the Lebanese population," he stated.

The minister also expressed gratitude to healthcare workers, particularly at Marjayoun Governmental Hospital.

Abiad addressed the state of other public hospitals in the region, noting that some are fully operational, others partially, and some entirely out of service. He emphasized that the ministry’s plan aims to secure funding to reopen and sustain these facilities.

He also mentioned his meeting with the World Bank to draft a post-war reconstruction plan, emphasizing that healthcare would be a cornerstone of this initiative. “The Ministry of Health’s task is not only to repair damaged hospitals but to seize this opportunity to advance the sector, starting with facilities in Marjayoun, Shebaa, Beit Lif, Sarafand and Sour,” he said.

Abiad concluded that “despite five years of economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion and the recent aggression, this sector has consistently supported the state and society. It should be the first to benefit from reconstruction funds.”

During the Israeli war on Lebanon which escalated on Sep.23 before a cease-fire came into effect on Nov.27, a report published by Human Rights Watch, published in early Oct. found three cases in which it was able to determine that Israeli forces had "unlawfully struck medical personnel, transports and facilities, including paramedics" in Lebanon.