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The Nawraj Association inaugurated the Baskinta Medical Center (BMC) in the Mar Sassine Monastery of the Order of the Lebanese Maronite Nuns on July 2, under the auspices and presence of the Minister of Public Health in the caretaker government Dr. Firas al-Abiad.
Patriarchal Vicar for the Maronite Vicariate of Sarba Bishop Boulos Rouhana attended the event, along with several parliamentary and religious figures, medical doctors and healthcare professionals, representatives of civil society organizations, and local residents.
Philippe Meunier, Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, was also present at the ceremony at the invitation of the President of Nawraj Dr. Fouad Abou Nader, who initiated the project in Baskinta.
In his address, Dr. Fouad Abou Nader thanked the generous project donors in Lebanon and abroad and all those who invested effort and time, especially the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Lebanese Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta, and L’Œuvre-d’Orient (France).
“Our goal is to offer people medical services and be able to treat them in a medical center close to where they reside,” he said. “This will allow us to ensure they are in stable medical condition before being transferred to larger hospitals, if needed. We have chosen to work with the Order of Maronite Nuns because they ensure continuity and quality in providing medical services, and their presence offers people a sense of trust and stability.”
“This project will provide new job opportunities for young women and men in Baskinta and the area,” he added. “We are also cooperating with the Order of Malta, and we are about to conclude an agreement with Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital (HDF), which will link the Center to HDF via a telemedicine platform.”
Philippe Meunier’s speech highlighted France’s support for Lebanon as he pledged to help and contribute to the Baskinta Medical Center.
The caretaker Minister of Health delivered a speech in which he focused on access to healthcare as a human right: “Health is a human right, and citizens in Lebanon have the right to demand access to medical care from the state. What matters to us at the Ministry of Health is encouraging and promoting the establishment of such centers in remote areas,” he stated, “as it is difficult for residents to reach medical facilities because of geographic constraints such as long distances from major hospitals. These issues can be life-threatening to some patients, who often pay a dire price because of these problems.”
“That is why,” he added, “the Ministry of Health’s plan, which we launched with the National Health Strategy at the beginning of this year, was based on the need to secure inexpensive healthcare for patients close to their homes. The only solution to this is the establishment of more primary healthcare centers.”
The Minister also pointed out that 350 medical facilities in Lebanon provide health services at negligible, practically free costs. These services include the distribution of medicine despite frequent shortcomings due to high demand. He then emphasized Lebanon’s privileged relationship with France, praising its support for the Lebanese health sector.
