NNA - Through the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Program (GGP), Japan supported Karagheusian Primary Health Care Center in Bourj Hammoud, with a grant of USD 89,948 to provide specialized equipment for its clinical laboratory and dental care. The Karagheusian Primary Health Care Center is the only center, which offers comprehensive medical services in the area at affordable rates. Through this assistance, more than 10,000 vulnerable people will have an access to more diverse and extensive medical tests and treatments.

On 31 August 2022, Ambassador Takeshi Okubo attended the project completion ceremony at Karagheusian Primary Health Care Center, in the presence of the Minister of Public Health H.E. Firas Abiad and the Director of the Center, Mr. Serop Ohanian.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of Japan and Lebanon, followed by a tour in the center, and included congratulatory remarks from

Ambassador Okubo, Minister Abiad and Mr. Ohanian.

In his speech, Ambassador Okubo said promoting sustainable access to primary health care and enhancing the capabilities of the local facilities are critical, and highlighted the Japanese Government’s most recent support to Lebanon’s vital sectors including the provision of renewable energy solutions. Mr. Ohanian, in return, thanked Japan for its generous support to the growing vulnerable communities in the region by securing affordable health care services, and appreciated the long-term partnerships between the Embassy and the center. Minister Abiad, said the strengthening of primary health care centers and the expansion of the range of services provided in them are part of the strategic plan of the Ministry of Health, which considers primary health care as a cornerstone for building a health system capable of providing comprehensive health care to the Lebanese citizen. He added that there is no doubt that the support provided by the Government of Japan, thankfully, to the health sector in Lebanon will help the Ministry achieve its goals in the near future.

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