Highlights & Selected Articles

• Environment (16/48 articles) informed about Lebanon’s Shoura Council ordering a temporary cessation to the construction of a resort on Ramlet al-Baida. The Council said that an investigation was warranted based on concerns, including public health and safety. On the other hand, the Ministry of Environment denied that it had exempted a stadium project in a Beirut park from an environmental impact study. This statement came after a local newspaper published a report saying that the ministry had exempted a plan to relocate a football stadium from Tariq al-Jadideh to Horsh Beirut from the standard assessment. One article showcased the impact of bird hunting in Lebanon, among other related articles.
• Refugees (6/48 articles) highlighted the Minister of Public Health, Ghassan Hasbani, confirming that UNRWA should assume its responsibilities toward Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, especially securing dialysis services for patients, among other issues.
• Antibiotics (6/48 articles) informed about the World Health Organization issuing a list of top 12 bacteria considered most dangerous to humans. WHO warned that doctors are quickly running out of treatment options due antibiotic resistance.

• Tobacco Related (3/48 articles) reported the Minister of Industry, Hussein Hajj Hasan, stressing on the need to create joint industrial projects between Lebanon and Iran. This statement came during his meeting with the head of the delegation from the Iranian Tobacco Company. This section also highlighted MP Atef Majdalani confirming that violations at the level of implementation of tobacco law are taking a great toll and that the government needs to take action.
• Mental Health (3/48 articles) showcased a report by the World Health Organization stating that more than 4% of the world's population lives with depression, and women, youth and the elderly are the most prone to its disabling effects.
• Other (3/48 articles) highlighted one article from AUB’ Dr. Faysal El Kak about sexual health and contraceptive pills. A K2P Media Bite reported on findings of a new study on the Unified Medical Prescription and its implementation in Lebanon. 

• Health Card (3/48 articles) shed light on the parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee asking about the progress of the health card project. This project, related to Universal Health Coverage, will include, reportedly, health number that includes each person’s complete medical file and medical history.
• Road Safety (2/48 articles) showcased the issue of traffic fines in Lebanon which are considered one of the highest in the region. Another article reported on removing speed bumps in Kosba, northern Lebanon. 
• Ministry of Public Health (2/48 articles) reported on the ministry launching a vaccination campaign to reach out to all Lebanese, especially children. Another article highlighted the Minister, Ghassan Hasbani, promising to identify and prosecute all violators in health sector.
• Pharmaceutical (1/48 articles) shed light on drug producers in Lebanon who are calling on the government to extend support to help their sector in facing significant international competition.
• Obesity (1/48 articles) highlighted a commentary discussing how obesity is threatening children’s health the Middle East and putting them at risk of Type 2 diabetes, asthma and heart failure.
• Food Safety (1/48 articles) showed a new FAO report stating that mankind's future ability to feed itself is in jeopardy due to intensifying pressures on natural resources, mounting inequality, and the fallout from a changing climate. 
• Child Protection (1/48 articles) covered the launch of the joint EU-UNICEF Child Rights Toolkit. The aim of the toolkit is to be a go-to guide for governments, NGOs and other local and national actors to integrate child rights into policies and projects.