Highlights & Selected Articles

• International Women Day (19/123 articles) compiled articles celebrating this day which takes place on March 8 of every year. Also, protesters gathered in Achrafieh’s Sassine Square to participate in a march under the slogan “different causes, same struggle.” They carried banners and placards shedding light on some of the struggles women in Lebanon have faced and continue to endure to this day, including refugees from Syria and Palestine and migrant domestic workers.
• Environment (26/123 articles) highlighted initiatives regarding the ongoing waste crisis in Lebanon. Also this section showcased Ain Dara and surrounding municipalities opposing the construction of a cement factory. This category also shed light on the issue of dumping food waste coming from a chicken factory in nearby rivers as well as Lebanese activists protesting the ongoing construction of a resort at Ramlet al-Baida. On the other hand, this section showed a report from WHO stating polluted environments kill that 1.7 million children each year, among other environmental issues.
• Ministry of Public Health (20/123 articles) informed about Minister of Public Health Ghassan Hasbani’s activities and statements. Minister Hasbani confirmed that financial burdens will not hinder the progress on improving and expanding health services, after meeting with the president of the Syndicate of Hospitals, Sleiman Haroun. On the other hand, the minister also expressed interest in working toward improving the health sector in Tripoli. He also launched a campaign to prevent birth defects and supported an awareness campaign on hemophilia, among other activities.

• Refugees (11/123 articles) reported on Palestinian factions at Ain al-Hilweh agreeing on the formation and mission of a new joint security force that will be deployed at the camp once given the green light from the Lebanese Army. On another note, the newly appointed country director for UNRWA visited Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp to examine the situation before his official appointment. Also, Zahle residents protested for three days in a row against Syrian labor in the country claiming it is undercutting their business, among other refugee-related issues.
• Hospitals (3/123 articles) mainly shed light on the vandalizing of the Lebanese Canadian Hospital in Sin al-Fil after Fadi Hweila’s death. His brother, seen in a video, barged and smashed glasses and other objects while shouting: “you killed him”.  Lebanon’s judiciary is now investigating two complaints related to the incident. The Minister of Public Health, Ghassan Hasbani, said that one complaint was filed by the family of Fadi Hweila while the other was filed by the hospital's administration against suspects who “vandalized private property.”
• Taxation (5/123 articles) covered updates regarding Lebanon’s draft 2017 budget and fiscal plan. Taxes are to be imposed on alcohol, tobacco, air travel and other. The ministerial decision sparked popular rejection where protesters hit Beirut and Tripoli streets to protest the Parliament approved taxes. Other articles reported on K2P Rapid Response on how taxes can improve health outcomes in Lebanon.
• Other (8/123 articles) compiled different public health-related articles among them, a report by The Lancet on weaponization of healthcare facilities in Syria. The report stated that more than 800 health workers have died in "acts of war crimes" in Syria since 2011, in hospital bombings, shootings, torture and executions, among other articles.

• Sexual Health (4/123 articles) shed light on articles written by professionals about sexual and reproductive health.
  Child Protection (2/123 articles) covered a report by UNICEF stating that 2016 was the worst year yet for children in Syria. UNICEF stated that hundreds of children were killed, the most since UNICEF began keeping records. Six million children in Syria depend on humanitarian aid.
  Salt (2/123 articles) provided information on how high levels of Sodium can increase the body’s blood pressure and lead to other complications. Articles stated that salt is highly present in Lebanese bread and other food and not only in salt shakers.
  Road Safety (1/48 articles) shed light on pedestrian car accidents. Another article showed how technologies in building cars can help reduce car crash fatalities.
  NSSF (1/48 articles) reported on a workshop on quality programs. The National Social Security Fund has developed a system for retirees to benefit from health services coverage.
  Diabetes (1/123 articles) reported on a conference on new treatments to cure cardiovascular diseases issuing from diabetes.