BEIRUT (Enmaeya News) — September 22, 2025

Lebanon’s Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine and American University of Beirut (AUB) President Fadlo Khuri signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen public hospitals through training, research and new medical programs.

The deal, signed at AUB’s Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center, aims to build the skills of resident doctors and medical staff, launch joint research, and set up treatment programs in government hospitals under the national health strategy.

The first phase will start at the Turkish Hospital in Sidon.

Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar, MP Abdel Rahman Bizri, AUB Medical Dean Raymond Sawaya, and AUB Surgery Chief Jamal Hoballah attended the ceremony.

“This agreement shows our shared commitment to improve health care in Lebanon,” said Mira Wehbe, director of operations at AUB Medical Center.

Khuri said the university has always worked to treat diseases and crises in Lebanon. “Connecting skilled doctors with the Turkish Hospital and the people of the South is an important step — and not the last,” he said.

Nasreddine stressed that the ministry’s plan focuses on financial and administrative support for public hospitals, along with better quality of services. “This quality restores trust in public hospitals and needs the academic expertise of AUB and other universities,” he said.

He added that the ministry is ready to cooperate with other universities to raise the level of health services nationwide.