Beirut – Minister of Public Health, Rakan Nassereddine, announced full hospitalization coverage for thrombectomy in stroke patients during a press conference at the Ministry of Health.

The event was attended by Professor Nathalie Nasr, Chair of the National Stroke Committee, and several committee members.

Nassereddine explained: "Anyone can suffer a stroke. It can completely change a person’s life, from being productive and active to, if surviving, living with permanent disability and depending on others. Treatment costs also create many challenges."

He added: "For this reason, the National Stroke Committee was established, and a national campaign launched. The first step is full hospital coverage for thrombectomy, i.e., the interventional retrieval of clots in major cerebral vessels causing stroke. This procedure will be covered in all hospitals able to perform it, including the entire catheterization procedure and one night in intensive care."

"Time is critical. The procedure must be done within the first 24 hours after the stroke. Coordination with emergency services, ERs, and ministry officials is essential to meet this timeframe. A national linkage system will also connect major referral hospitals with peripheral hospitals for patient referral."

He concluded: "This is good news for the Lebanese people. This is an additional procedure we are covering, as promised. More surgical procedures will be gradually added to the coverage."