Beirut, 17 August 2022: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) have signed a cooperation agreement on 19th May 2022, aiming to facilitate IOM’s continued support to the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) and to the national COVID-19 response. IOM has been working closely with the National Tuberculosis Programme since 2017, through the provision of high-quality care for TB patients in Lebanon.

This support is made possible through the regional Middle East Response (MER) programme funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. IOM is the principal recipient of this grant.

“We in IOM Lebanon are very pleased with such an agreement and aim to build on the continuing support to the National Tuberculosis Programme and on Covid-19 response,” said Mathieu Luciano, IOM Head of Office in Lebanon.

“The continued investment from the Global Fund will allow further support for the Ministry of Public Health as it continues to work against the elimination of tuberculosis in Lebanon.”

Lebanon’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas Abiiad emphasized the importance of the partnership with IOM.  

“The agreement between the MoPH and IOM signifies the long-standing partnership between these two entities and their commitment to combating TB and COVID-19 in Lebanon. This agreement will significantly complement the MoPH strategy in combating communicable diseases through the implementation of inclusive programmes. Through this cooperation, patients will be able to have access to safe and effective services without falling into financial hardships". 

Through this grant, the National Tuberculosis Programme will be able to expand its presence and services through community outreach, awareness raising, prevention and patient follow-up, and non-interrupted provision, of medications and consumable supplies for TB diagnosis and treatment until the end of 2024. 

The MoPH, through this programme, is committed to providing equitable, quality services for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis to all notified cases residing in Lebanon, regardless of the geographical region, economic status, or country of origin.

“Despite limited financial and human resources, the National Tuberculosis Programme has been responding effectively and efficiently, prioritising vulnerable populations and migrants, irrespective of nationality and legal status with a range of differentiated diagnostic, prevention and treatment services including raising awareness amongst those who are most at risk,” said IOM Head of Office, Mathieu Luciano.

The National Tuberculosis Programme provides diagnosis, treatment, care, and support services to nearly 1,000 people yearly. It also offers treatment monitoring across its centres, field teams and laboratories. It operates under the MoPH, through the tuberculosis central unit in Karantina, Beirut, and nine additional tuberculosis control centres across the country.

 
For more information, please contact Tala Khatib – IOM Lebanon at tkhatib@iom.int