Beirut, 19 May 2022 – WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr Iman Shankiti and the Italian Ambassador in Beirut Nicoletta Bombardiere signed an agreement today at the Italian Embassy in Beirut worth 1 616 000 Euros. This project contributes towards supporting the strengthening of public health systems. It has 2 main pillars: improving the Government’s regulatory capacity in terms of access to quality medications by expanding the pharmaceuticals bar code system at the national level and enhancing the capacity of public hospitals to deliver quality services, by supporting selected public hospitals in terms of emergency care capacity.

“This generous fund is a continuation of the Italian Government’s support to the health system in Lebanon. As always we remain true to our values that health should be available for all and that no one should be left behind,” said Dr Iman Shankiti.

This project is implemented by WHO in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon in line with the Ministry’s priorities.

Nicoletta Bombardiere, Ambassador of Italy in Lebanon, said, “The goal of the Italian Cooperation is to contribute to global health by promoting universal health coverage, equity and access to health for all. Strengthening the public health system and improving quality health services are key examples of our strategy in this sector in Lebanon.”

Alessandra Piermattei, Director of Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Beirut, said, “For the Italian Cooperation, health is an essential aspect of the social and economic development of the population. For this reason, we consider access to medicine and health care very important in the current difficult context in Lebanon.”

The Government of Italy has always been at the forefront of supporting the Lebanese people by providing generous contributions to strengthen the health system, in terms of governance and infrastructure and to improve the quality of care, especially emergency care.

The Government of Italy also provided an emergency donation of pediatric cancer medications to the value of 500 000 Euros that were delivered to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health through WHO.