Strengthening Lebanon's Healthcare Together - A Global Commitment
The International Lebanese Medical Association held a very successful conference at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut on July 5-6, 2024.
This significant event brought together key stakeholders to enhance Lebanon’s healthcare system. The event was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, with Lebanese Health Minister Dr. Firas Abiad in attendance, along with ILMA’s President
Doctors from around the world, many of Lebanese descent, gathered in Lebanon despite challenging circumstances. Their shared mission was to support their homeland and its people during these difficult times, with a deep connection to Lebanon’s heritage and a strong sense of patriotism.
During the opening ceremony, the International Lebanese Medical Association presented a special award for medical excellence, highlighting its commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent in the medical field.
The ILMA Recognition Awards were given to Minister of Health Dr. Firas Abiad, Dr. Abdul Rahman Bizri, Dr. Bchara Choucair, Dr. Nadey Hakim, Dr. Hassan Hosseini, Dr. Rana Hajjeh, and Dr. Charaf Abou Charaf for their significant contributions to healthcare. The ceremony was further honored by the presence of Mr. Mark Wilt, the director of USAID in Lebanon, representing the US Ambassador, emphasizing international support and collaboration. These awards underscore ILMA’s dedication to acknowledging outstanding achievements and fostering excellence within the medical community.
Additionally, the ILMA-USA Scholarship Program was announced, generously funding scholarships worth $275,000 for Lebanese medical students to study and conduct research in the United States. This initiative underscores ILMA’s dedication to nurturing future medical professionals and advancing academic excellence.
Hands-On Surgical Workshop Highlights
During the ILMA Conference, students had the unique opportunity to participate in a series of hands-on surgical workshops. These sessions were designed to enhance practical skills and provide in-depth knowledge in various surgical techniques. The workshops included:
- Incision, Knots & Sutures
- Intestinal Anastomosis & GI Clinical Vignette
- Airway Management & Intubation (in collaboration with the LAU Clinical Simulation Center)
- Orthopedic Surgery: Tenorrhaphy
These workshops provided students with essential skills and confidence for their future surgical careers. Our partner, IJCR Central, organized this successful workshop under the supervision of Dr. Gregory Nicolas and Dr. Jamil Mouawad.
Disaster Medicine Session
A panel discussion was held between different sectors to discuss emergency management in Lebanon. Disasters often strike without warning, impacting unprepared areas. Effective disaster management involves mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The panel discussed also the military’s role in securing disaster scenes, providing healthcare during emergencies, and coordinating civilian-military health aid.
Panelists included:
- Dr. Eveline Hitti, Chairperson of the Department of Emergency Medicine at AUBMC
- Mr. Moustafa Khalife, Head Nurse and Facilitator for Mass Casualty Management at ICRC; BSN and MSN in Hospital Management
- Dr. Claude El Hayek, MD, PhD(c), eMHA
- Mrs. Wahida Ghalayini, Head of the Nursing Department at Rafic Hariri University Hospital and Manager of the Public Health Emergency Operating Center (PHEOC) at the Ministry of Public Health
Moderated by Dr. Georgina Aoun Nouaime,(Board Certified in Internal Medicine (2001), MBA (2015), MPH (2023), Disaster Medicine Fellow (2023), President of ILMAUSA) discussed disaster preparedness and response.
