World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
WHO Country Office in Lebanon

National Health Information Centre (NHIC)

                                          Opening                             

On 4 December 2003, the World Health Organization Representation in Lebanon celebrated the opening of the National Health Information Center (NHIC), in the presence of Ministers and other distinguished personalities in the health field.  This historical event was covered by the Media extensively.

The opening began with the speech of Dr. Habib Latiri, WHO Representative in Lebanon. The Message of His Excellency the Minister of public health followed it, which was delivery by his senior advisor Dr. Alber Jokhdar. His Excellency the Minister of Information Mr. Michel Samaha, president of the Lebanese University (LU), Dr. Ibrahim Kobaissi, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization Dr. Hussein Gezairy, and finally Dr. Gabriel Rifka Senior Advisor of WHO office in Lebanon addressed the guests and visitors.

 Dr. H. Gezairy, Regional Director of WHO/EMRO delivering his speech during the opening of the Center.

      Dr. H. Latiri, WHO Representative, delivers his speech.  Sitting 
      from L-R: Mr. M. Baalbaki, Mr. M. Samaha, Dr. K.Karam, Dr. A.
      Jokhadar, Dr. H. Gezairy, and Dr. I. Kobaissi.

Thereafter, Minister of State Dr. Karam Karam representing His Excellency the Prime Minister Mr. Rafic Al Hariri unveiled the curtain of the plaque of the National Health Information Center (NHIC).

     Minister Dr. Karam unveiled NHIC plaque; next to him are: Mr. Al
     Shayji (Kuwait Embassy), Dr.  Latiri, Mr. Baalbaki, Minister Semaha,
     Dr. Koubaysi.  At the left of plaque is Dr. Jokhadar.

Following the unveiling of the plaque, the visitors proceeded to the center where explanation and an overview of the services were provided by Ms. Omayma Rammal, Assistant Librarian, and Eng. Houssam Shamma’a.  There was also a showing of a film concerning prevention of smoking in the Multi Media/Audio Visual Room.

      Visitors rooming in the center.  At the right Dr. A. Majdalani President of
      the Health Committee of the Parliament, talks with Mr. De Mistoura,
      Representative of Mr. Kofi Anan in Lebanon.

        L-R.: Mr. Shamma’a, Mr. De Mistoura, Representative of Mr. Kofi Anan in
           the South of Lebanon. Minister Dr. Karam, Dr. Majdalani, President of the
           Health Committee of the Parliament

        A group of Aid Nurses newly graduated from WHO Center in
        al-Khiam/South Lebanon is visiting the center