Lebanon's new health care initiative

Health Minister Ali Hasan Khalil expressed his commitment to achieve a comprehensive health care plan for Lebanese without public health insurance. The Health Ministry launched the “Beirut UNESCODeclaration,” a strategic plan concerning primary health care and military medical care in cooperation with local communities, the National News Agency reported. “Local medical centres initiated by local communities or charities or international organisations are closer to the social and medical needs of the people and they work to secure these needs at an affordable cost and the best quality,” said Khalil. The minister noted the plan would enhance cooperation among local communities and organisations already existing across Lebanon, making the services they provide more efficient. “We will work together to enhance the capabilities of the local medical centres so that they can play a major role in combating non-transitional diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory problems, in addition to mental diseaBeirut - Arabstodayses and geriatrics,” he explained.