A mobile clinic for the prevention of chronic diseases: Dr. Rakan Nasser al-Din, Minister of Public Health, launched an awareness initiative titled “Safe Care for Life.”
Coinciding with World Patient Safety Day, the initiative aims to promote the prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases, particularly diabetes and high blood pressure.
The initiative is organized in collaboration between the Ministry’s Department of Primary Health Care, the Department of Family Medicine at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and “Healthy Habitat,” with support from the “World Diabetes Foundation.”
A mobile clinic will tour primary health care centers in Beirut, Chouf, Sidon, the North, Akkar, the Bekaa, and Mount Lebanon for one week.
It also offers free screenings, including blood pressure and blood sugar tests.
These screenings include calculating body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, foot examinations for people with diabetes, and retinal imaging.
The tour also included educational activities on healthy nutrition, physical activity, medication adherence, and the importance of regular medical follow-up.
As part of its participation in the global Patient Safety Movement, the Saida Maritime Castle will be illuminated to send a message calling for prevention and safe care.
Nasser al-Din emphasized that investing in primary health care has both a humanitarian and a reform-oriented dimension, as it facilitates early detection and reduces the cost of treatment and hospitalization.
For her part, Dr. Randa Hamadeh emphasized every patient’s right to safe and continuous care,
while Dr. Mona Othman stressed that patient safety is a shared responsibility.
