Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Firass Abiad, Minister of Health of the Lebanese Republic, to explore cooperation prospects between ICESCO and Lebanon in supporting digital transformation in the health sector, disseminating health awareness and promoting public health.

At the outset of the meeting, held on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, in the presence of Ambassador Ziad Atallah, Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic to the Kingdom of Morocco, Dr. AlMalik welcomed the Lebanese Minister, stressing the Organization’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Lebanon and design joint programs in the health sector, especially after fulfilling the legal procedures for Lebanon’s official accession to ICESCO.

ICESCO Director-General reviewed the Organization’s efforts in assisting its Member States in the health field by implementing several programs and projects such as the program for improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in 1,000 rural schools in Muslim countries, as well as organizing medical, social and educational caravans to promote public and psychological health.

For his part, Dr. Abiad commended ICESCO’s efforts, stressing the eagerness of the Lebanese Republic to build closer cooperation with the Organization, in order to develop joint health programmes. He reiterated his gratitude to ICESCO for its assistance in securing the return of Lebanese students after the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine.

The meeting brought together Ms. Nadeen Hilal, Advisor to the Lebanese Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, Supervisor of the Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences, and Ms. Sally Mabrouk, Director of the Office of ICESCO Director-General.

Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took Dr. Abiad on a tour of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently held at ICESCO Headquarters, where he listened to detailed explanations about the content of the Exhibition pavilions and sections, that use modern display technology to narrate and document in detail the biography of our Prophet (PBUH).