The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and AstraZeneca have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a comprehensive national initiative aimed at enhancing prevention, raising public awareness, building capacity, and enabling evidence-based early diagnosis of lung cancer in Lebanon. This comes in alignment with the Ministry of Public Health’s National Cancer Plan 2023–2028 and seeks to improve health outcomes through prevention, awareness, early diagnosis, and reducing the burden of the disease and its associated mortality.
Under the agreement, the two entities will closely collaborate to ensure equitable access to testing, diagnosis, treatment, and information for patients across Lebanon. The memorandum focuses on strengthening scientific and technological cooperation, including supporting national awareness campaigns, capacity building for healthcare professionals, support for evidence-based early detection programs, and promoting data gathering to better inform planning and decision-making.
“AstraZeneca shines as a scientific and technical partner in supporting national lung cancer programs, as it leverages its expertise in prevention, early detection, and data management,” said His Excellency Dr. Rakan Nasreddine, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Health. “This collaboration strengthens our healthcare system’s capacity to battle this disease, within a transparent framework aligned with the Ministry of Public Health’s priorities and national policies.”
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“We are honored to be collaborating with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health in supporting national initiatives to establish a comprehensive lung cancer care system through public awareness, capacity building, and evidence-based early detection,” said Rami Scandar, AstraZeneca Country President for the Near East and Maghreb region. “Our collaboration is based on scientific innovation and a commitment to health equity, enabling equitable access to early diagnosis, building capabilities, and modern treatments for patients across Lebanon. This helps improve outcomes and reduces disparities in access to care.”
“Lebanon has the highest lung cancer incidence in females and second highest in males in the Middle East and North Africa, with rates increasing significantly over time. It’s a leading cancer in the country, accounting for over 9% of new cancer cases, second only to breast cancer,” said Dr. Arafat Tfayli, president of the committee in charge of implementing the national cancer prevention plan.
