18 February 2024, Beirut, Lebanon – The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and WHO organized the handover yesterday of 6 new Renault Express vehicles to the Ministry’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (ESU). WHO Lebanon donated the vehicles to support the ESU team’s work in the field across Lebanon.

The handover event at the Ministry’s premises was attended by Minister of Public Health Dr Firass Abiad, Head of ESU Dr Nada Ghosn and WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr Abdinasir Abubakar.

“These 6 vehicles will make surveillance officers’ work easier and contribute to the MOPH’s focus on enhancing the surveillance system for timely detection and response. MOPH and WHO have a strong partnership and our collaboration is making a difference in improving the overall health system in Lebanon,” said Dr Abiad.

Added Dr Abubakar: “The ESU team is very hard-working and deserves to be supported and we will continue to support them whenever we get the opportunity. By having a strong surveillance system, we can prevent and control emerging infectious diseases and contribute to the overall pandemic preparedness capacity, while fulfilling one of the key pillars of the International Health Regulations core capacities.”

Dr Ghosn explained the importance of these vehicles to the work of the surveillance teams: “It is crucial to have reliable transportation that can facilitate the teams’ work from Beirut to Mouhafazat or from south to north, covering Beqaa and Mount Lebanon as well. The use of these vehicles will expedite sample collection during alert verification visits to the field.”