logo
Who is Rakan Nassereddine, Lebanon's New Minister of Public Health

Who is Rakan Nassereddine, Lebanon's New Minister of Public Health

The 96111-02-2025

Rakan Nassereddine is a Lebanese doctor that studied medicine in Lebanon.
He obtained a Ph.D. in infectious diseases after years of academic excellence, and then completed his advanced studies in infectious diseases, becoming one of the leading specialists in this field in Lebanon and the Arab region.
Rakan Nassereddine's Medical Career:
From the early stages of his career, Rakan Nassereddine worked in the field of medicine, specializing in infectious diseases. He served as an academic physician at the American University of Beirut and contributed to several important scientific research studies focused on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Rakan Nassereddine distinguished himself by providing healthcare to patients with complex and difficult cases. He also played a significant role in mentoring new physicians and participated in numerous local and international scientific conferences.
Rakan Nassereddine's Research and Academic Contributions:
Rakan Nassereddine is an active member of the academic medical community, with several scientific contributions related to infectious diseases. His research emphasized the importance of continuous studies in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, especially those related to epidemics like influenza and emerging viruses.
He was also one of the scientists who called for enhanced coordination between international and local health institutions to combat epidemic diseases. His academic approach is distinguished by the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical experience in handling medical cases.
Rakan also has a strategic vision for improving the healthcare system in Lebanon, including enhancing healthcare services and developing preventive programs to face future health challenges.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Real Men Don't Cry
Real Men Don't Cry

MTV Lebanon

time10-06-2025

  • MTV Lebanon

Real Men Don't Cry

In Lebanon, boys grow up hearing the same message on repeat: be strong, be silent, don't fall apart. As they grow into men, the expectations only grow heavier. Provide for your family, protect them, and never show weakness. But what happens when the world shifts and those expectations become impossible to meet? After years of political instability, economic collapse, and emotional strain, many Lebanese men are silently crumbling under pressure. June, Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, is a crucial time to break that silence. In an exclusive interview with MTV Website, psychiatrist Elina Dirani sheds light on the emotional weight men carry in a society that rarely allows them to speak. 'We live in a culture where a man is expected to be the provider and protector,' Dirani explains. 'That mindset shaped how men see themselves. They live to give and fix, often putting their needs last.' But after years of crises, that role has become impossible for many. Financial stability is gone. Personal security feels out of reach. Men are losing their footing, unable to live up to a role they were taught to fulfill. The pressure is breaking them down. The Stigma of Vulnerability 'Men are allowed to be angry, but not sad. Irritated, but not anxious. Vulnerability is mistaken for weakness,' Dirani explains. 'But mental health doesn't mean mental illness.' Women are often given space to express emotions, cry, and seek help. Men rarely receive that permission. Many don't know how to label or express their feelings. A man who cries is seen as less masculine. But vulnerability is not weakness. It is honesty. Even heroes get tired. What Mental Struggles Look Like in Men Men often show depression through anger, irritability, or impulsiveness rather than sadness. Road rage, shouting, or shutting down can be signs of deeper pain. 'Addiction, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are more common in men,' Dirani adds. 'And because society finds it more acceptable for men to smoke or drink to relax, these behaviors often go unnoticed or even encouraged.' She also highlights media influence. Alcohol ads often show confident men drinking and becoming more attractive or powerful. 'These images reinforce the idea that confidence comes from substances,' she says. Even gifts reflect this: alcohol for men, flowers or sweets for women. The Damage of 'Man Up' Culture Phrases like 'real men don't cry' or 'be strong' do more harm than we think. 'They create internal conflict,' Dirani says. 'Men feel emotions but are told to ignore them. That suppression builds up as stress, anger, or numbness.' To heal, men must first recognize and process their feelings. If taught to suppress emotion from childhood, how can they ever recover from pain? 'What doesn't kill you leaves marks,' she adds. 'Yes, hardship teaches us, but only if we allow ourselves to feel. That's not weakness. That's growth.' Creating Space for Healing Talking about mental health doesn't create problems. It solves them. Safe spaces help people feel seen and understood without judgment. Change starts at home. 'Educating parents is essential,' Dirani says. 'Most beliefs about masculinity are passed down from family. Shifting that mindset begins with how we raise boys.' Men are encouraged to speak up about what bothers them early, exercise regularly to calm the brain, build stable routines, take guilt-free time for themselves, and learn to express emotions. Behind every strong father, brother, son, and friend is a human being who deserves support, love, and understanding. It's time to move beyond the outdated belief that strength means silence. If you're tired, that's okay. If you're struggling, it's okay to speak up. True strength lies not in bottling things up but in knowing when to reach out. Men matter. You matter. And we're here to listen.

Hosting the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat-Koura
Hosting the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat-Koura

Lebanese Army

time04-06-2025

  • Lebanese Army

Hosting the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat-Koura

Tuesday, 03 June 2025 Under the patronage of President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun, represented by Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, and in the presence of the Chief of Staff representing Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolph Haykal, the Military Healthcare, and Balamand University held the conference 'Crisis Management in the Health Sector' at Balamand University, Qalhat - Koura. This conference was attended by several ministers, MPs, medical and union officials, as well as political and economic figures, security forces representatives, and several LAF officers. During the conference, Minister Hani emphasized that the health sector served as the first line of defense in facing several crises that Lebanon has endured, highlighting the importance of developing this sector to build a modern state capable of providing healthcare to its citizens. He stressed the necessity of structural transformation based on learning from experiences. He also commended the LAF's contribution to organizing the conference and the role of Balamand University in hosting meaningful scientific initiatives. On another note, Major General Hassan Audi, the Chief of Staff, delivered a speech stating: 'The military institution has exerted every effort to play an active role in health matters during critical crises, believing in the sanctity of its professional and ethical duty to stand by the Lebanese people. On this basis, the LAF played a vital role in the national plan to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as participating in the evacuation of the injured and providing them with healthcare following the Beirut port explosion, while also taking responsibility for securing the explosion site, clearing debris, and opening roads. Additionally, the Head of Military Healthcare, Brigadier General Dani Bsharaoui, emphasized that the conference serves as a platform for dialogue and integration between official health entities, military institutions, the private sector, universities, and civil society organizations. Dr. Elias Waraq, President of Balamand University, noted that the university places special emphasis on developing strategies to ensure the continuity of various vital sectors in Lebanon, asserting that the Lebanese people will remain united and determined to rise, standing together behind their LAF. Following this, workshops were held that included lectures related to the conference topic, presented by several officers, experts, and specialists. The conference concluded with the presentation of recommendations reached by the participants.

Health Minister receives UNHCR delegation informing him of decision to stop healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees
Health Minister receives UNHCR delegation informing him of decision to stop healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees

LBCI

time28-05-2025

  • LBCI

Health Minister receives UNHCR delegation informing him of decision to stop healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees

Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine received a delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), headed by the office representative in Lebanon, Ivo Freijsin. The delegation informed him of the UNHCR's decision to cease healthcare coverage for Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon and to halt support for various primary healthcare centers starting next November due to limited funding from donor countries. Nassereddine emphasized the necessity for the international community not to neglect its humanitarian responsibilities. He said: "Less than three months ago, Lebanon witnessed a new wave of displacement, which keeps the number of refugees very high relative to Lebanon's size and the capacity of its health system to bear additional major burdens." The Health Minister emphasized the importance of the UNHCR, in collaboration with key international partners, in finding ways to secure healthcare coverage for refugees and support the health services provided to them in primary care centers. He affirmed that there is no solution except securing international funding for healthcare and the treatment of refugees until their safe return to their country, calling in this regard for serious efforts to begin implementing a plan for their return to their home country after the situation there improves.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store