Organon, a global healthcare company dedicated to making a difference in women’s health, recently hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Activating an Ecosystem Approach to Advancing Women’s Health in Lebanon and the Region’ in the presence of the minister of Public health Dr. Firas Abiad, representatives from the US embassy, doctors, officials and diplomatic figures, representatives of non-governmental organizations, in addition to media and influencers. The significant event was tied to the visit of Kevin Ali, Organon’s CEO, to Lebanon, signifying his personal commitment to understanding and addressing regional women’s health concerns. The discussion that was moderated by Public Health specialist Riwa Al Atrash convened a broad spectrum of experts, including NGO representatives, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and government officials, emphasizing the value of a collective approach to addressing the unmet health needs of women.
The opening word of the event, made by Julia Groeblacher, the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Beirut was followed by the speech of Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President of Organon in the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey.
In turn, the Minister of Public Health in Lebanon, Dr. Firas Al Abyad praised the efforts made by all stakeholders to enhance healthcare in Lebanon for all members of society and especially women. He spoke: “Alongside professionals in the field, we are committed to uplifting women’s healthcare, a prime concern for the Ministry of Public Health. We celebrate all awareness initiatives that encourage women to look out for their health, especially as the backbone of the wellbeing of our societies. Together we are able to make a difference and enhance our Lebanese society despite the difficult circumstances the country is going through.”
The panel discussion brought together Gielan El Messiri, Representative AI, UN Women in Lebanon, Kevin Ali, Organon’s CEO and esteemed women’s healthcare experts, including Ghassan Maalouf, the Medical Director and Vice-President of Medical Affairs at Bellevue Medical Center (“BMC”); and Faysal El Kak, WHO’s member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) for ‘Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut (“AUB”) and Clinical Associate, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology at AUB Medical Center. The event follows the signing of an MoU between Organon and BMC.
Gielan El Messiri, UN Women Representative a.i. in Lebanon, praised the panel discussion as an essential platform to address critical issues affecting women’s health and gender inequalities. “The discussion highlighted the urgent need to strengthen health systems to be better equipped to provide uninterrupted access to quality and affordable essential services for women and girls, including services for victims of gender-based violence. [optional cut if quote is too long: By combining our resources, knowledge, and expertise, we can drive transformative change and improve the health and wellbeing of women in the region].”
Speaking on Organon’s commitment to advancing women’s health in the region, Organon’s CEO, Kevin Ali said: “At Organon, we believe that women are the cornerstone of a healthier world. Our panel discussion on advancing women’s health in Lebanon and the region embodies our dedication to innovation and discovering solutions for women’s unmet healthcare needs by placing them at the core of our purpose. By stimulating strategic conversations and promoting partnerships with key stakeholders across the entire ecosystem, we can collectively drive positive change and empower women to lead healthier lives.”
The panel delved into critical aspects of women’s health, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with multiple stakeholders and collective efforts to address healthcare challenges faced by women in Lebanon and the region. Among the most pressing challenges facing women’s health is the growing number of women dying from pregnancy-related complications, which tripled as of 2022[1], and 20% of chronically ill patients being unable to access vital medicines[2].
“In the face of recent challenges in Lebanon, it’s become clear that women’s health in the country requires a unified and holistic approach,” said Ghassan Maalouf, Medical Director and Vice-President of Medical Affairs at Bellevue Medical Center. “Our recent Memorandum of Understanding with Organon symbolizes our joint dedication to creating a supportive ecosystem for women’s healthcare. This collaboration allows us to combine resources, foster expertise, and enhance interventions. Through such collaborative efforts, we can promote comprehensive, effective healthcare, break barriers, and ensure quality healthcare access for all women across Lebanon.”
“From my firsthand experience with Lebanon’s healthcare system, I understand the unique challenges women face when seeking quality care. As we adopt an ecosystem approach, it’s crucial that we develop targeted strategies to address the diverse health needs of women in LEBANON and the region. More INNOVATIVE APPROACHES need to be done to ensure access to tools and information made available to women, helping place every woman at the center of her healthcare journey and better able to make informed decisions. I believe this can be achieved through strategic partnerships, placing our collective efforts on ensuring INCLUSIVE equitable access to care”.
“Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, we can build a healthcare framework that not only empowers women but also ensures equitable SENSITIVE access to essential medical AND HEATH services.,” added Dr. Faysal El Kak, WHO’s member of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) for ‘Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, and Clinical Associate, Department of Obstetrics Gynecology at AUB Medical Center.
Over the last two years, Organon MENAT has been actively engaged in creating platforms to understand the unmet needs of women and collaborating with partners to implement tailored programs across different countries. Initiatives like its Wall of Voices campaign and the FemTech accelerator program in MENA demonstrate the company’s commitment to advancing women’s health.
Organon remains dedicated to the vision of achieving a better and healthier day for every woman across the MENAT region. Through strategic collaborations and a holistic approach to engaging the entire regional ecosystem, it is working towards empowering women with the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanon-maternal-deaths-triple-childrens-health-risk-amid-crisis-unicef-says-2022-04-20/
[2] https://www.undp.org/lebanon/publications/life-women-and-men-lebanon-statistical-portrait
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