Under the patronage of the President of the Lebanese Republic, General Michel Aoun, the National Center for the Quality of Medicine, Food, Water and Chemicals of the Lebanese University held its 2nd scientific conference entitled: "Pollution, Health Quality, Reality and Prospects - Field Studies & Research", at the Rafik Hariri University Compound - Hadath.
The conference was attended by Dr. Jamil Jabak, Minister of Public Health, representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, MP Qassem Hashem, representing the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Nabih Berri, MP Assem Araji, representing the Prime Minister, Mr. Saad Hariri, Dr. Walid Safi, representing the Minister of Education & Higher Education, Mr. Akram Chehayeb, Professor Fouad Ayoub, President of the Lebanese University, Mrs. Alia Abbas, Director General of the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Sami Alawiyyeh, DG of Litani River Authority, representatives of the security services, ambassadors, and a number of deans, directors, professors, employees and students.
Dr. Nazih Bou Chahine, Center Director, praised the Center’s role, which aspires to become a scientific platform and meeting place for researchers of private universities, institutions and ministries, where vital topics are raised about food, water and drug safety. He added that the Center gave credibility to reports and analyzes by relying on quality standards and became adopted by the Ministry of Public Health. He also revealed that the World Health Organization gave a preliminary approval to the accreditation of the National Pharmacovigilance Center, as an official national center to be included in its global network system. He also announced the possession of the Food and Water Laboratory for Microbiological Analysis of an ISO certificate, through the efforts of a diverse work team with considerable experience.
Mrs. Alia Abbas indicated that the Ministry of Economy & Trade, which is one of the ministries concerned with ensuring the quality and safety of food, gave priority to controlling this issue, especially since food-borne diseases and damages resulting therefrom are advanced and may be very annoying or even fatal.
President Ayoub stressed that institutional work requires a constructive will and an advanced vision in order to serve and develop the role entrusted with the work of these institutions. He added that the Center is a distinguished educational facility and is concerned with the work of all institutions, because it includes all specializations with cognitive and executive relation to the functioning of these sectors.
Professor Ayoub added that the University is proud of the cooperation agreements made with the Ministry of Public Health resulting in the establishment of LFDCA in 2016, which has been formally approved by the Ministry of Public Health, in order to conduct safety checks for drugs, food, water and chemicals, in addition to the Pharmacovigilance Center.
He concluded by granting ISO certificate to the Center and considered that the Lebanese University is a key partner in creating frameworks for sustainable development as well as proposing solutions to problems that hinder the work of some institutions, as evidenced by the conferences, seminars and workshops held with the participation of most important sectors operating in the country.
Dr. Jamil Jabak pointed out that the President of the Republic's sponsorship of this conference reflects his conviction in the great national role played by the Lebanese University, which graduated thousands of specialists in various sciences known for their scientific, professional and ethical competence, and which was and still occupies a central position among the best universities in Lebanon.
Minister Jabak indicated that few days ago, the distinguished Lebanese doctor Guy Mouawad, who is a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the Lebanese University, was honored by selecting him as the “2015 Doctor” among eight thousand doctors in Washington, DC, for his excellence in robotic operations.
Finally, Minister Jabak congratulated the Lebanese University on the advanced role of the distinguished Center, promising new achievements to raise the level of patient service and innovation in our national university.
