Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Firass El Abiad, Mnister of Public Health, and in the presence of a delegation from the French Ministry of Health, an official signing ceremony for the "Project for Supporting the Healthcare Personnel Skills in the Public Sector in Lebanon (PARAMED)" took place in the conference room of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Jnah.  .

This project, co-financed by Agence Française de Developpement (AFD) and the IF! Foundation, and implemented by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD), aims to substantially strengthen the skills of healthcare professionals within Lebanon's public health structures.

In his speech, the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas El Abiad, emphasized: "The importance of this program lies in its expansion to include 12 public hospitals, after initially starting with four hospitals, with the aim of training healthcare professionals so they can provide the necessary services to our citizens, especially the most vulnerable segments of Lebanese society. This program is funded by the French Development Agency to the tune of six million euros and is implemented by the European Institute for Cooperation and Development in Lebanon." Minister Abiad continued by stating that: “This program would not have been possible without the support provided by France to Lebanon, particularly through the French Development Agency (AFD), which supports several projects in the health and education sectors. What is remarkable about this program is that it brings together the health and education sectors, with the goal of providing better healthcare services to all people on Lebanese territory.”

Mrs. Catherine Bonnaud, Country Director and Regional Director of AFD, declared that by investing in training and professional development of health workers, we strengthen not only individual capabilities, but also the resilience and effectiveness of the health system as a whole. This is a long-term investment in the health and well-being of all Lebanese citizens.

In a context of crisis affecting the Lebanese healthcare system, the PARAMED project represents a crucial initiative to improve the quality of care provided to the most vulnerable populations and facilitate access to it. The project includes, among other objectives, the establishment of training centers in 12 public hospitals and the implementation of ongoing training and refresher programs for recent graduates and existing hospital staff.
 
Mr. Vianney Basse, Director for Lebanon and the Middle East at IECD, emphasized the quality of the trust-based relationship between the Minister of Health, AFD, and IECD, and that this partnership is fully aligned with the Ministry’s 2030 Strategy. He recalled that IECD, whose mission is to support youth through vocational training projects, will strengthen its involvement in the health sector through PARAMED.

By strengthening the capacities of health professionals and promoting the employability of young men and women in the field of nursing, the PARAMED project aims to reach 4,200 healthcare workers and approximately 3 million patients. In doing so, it will help reduce gaps and improve the quality of healthcare in Lebanon.