With funding from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health, Caritas Lebanon organized a free medical day at the Halba Maronite School in Akkar.
The event was attended by Ms. Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, and Ms. Svergineni Maduri, Program Manager. Also present were Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon; Ms. Diala Naameh Al-Soghbini, representative of the Ministry of Public Health; Ms. Sandy Hakmeh, Head of the Health Department; Mr. Michel Nassar, Head of the Akkar Region; Ms. Laurette Daher, Northern Regional Coordinator; Mr. Mazen Mousawer, Head of Communications and Media; and youth representatives from Caritas.
From the local community, notable attendees included: Archpriest Elias Jarjess, Episcopal Vicar for Akkar; Sheikh Walid Ismail, Secretary of Dar al-Fatwa in Akkar; Mr. Osama Al-Zoubi, Head of the Zakat Fund; Sheikh Mohammad Al-Jundi; Sheikh Samir Alaman; Mr. Ahmad Al-Haddam; and the priests: Philippe Khoury, Elias Qaddou, Michel Bardqan, and Mario Damian. In addition, around 160 participants from local municipalities and community leaders were present.
The event began with a meeting with mayors and local officials. Father Michel Abboud welcomed the attendees and expressed his appreciation for their presence, emphasizing the importance of listening to their concerns and relaying their voices to the European Union. He also expressed gratitude for the EU’s continued support, particularly to the Akkar region.
Ms. Alessandra Viezzer thanked attendees for the warm reception and reaffirmed the EU’s strong partnership with Caritas Lebanon, highlighting the trust the organization enjoys within local communities.
Ms. Viezzer also listened to interventions from participants, which focused mainly on health and environmental challenges in the region; especially issues related to wastewater management and its impact on public health and agriculture. Attendees stressed the urgent need to reactivate the Sarar waste treatment plant, given the widespread impact of waste management issues across Akkar. Other key topics included the need to support primary healthcare centers, especially hospitalization services, environmental protection, and developing fire prevention strategies. Ms. Viezzer committed to following up on these concerns with the relevant stakeholders.
To conclude the visit, the delegation toured the ongoing health campaign, which provided free medical consultations with specialists in public health, cardiology, endocrinology and diabetes, gynecology, and pediatrics. Remote consultations were also offered in hematology, oncology, and nephrology, along with laboratory tests as needed and free medication distribution.