Prime Minister Najib Mikati presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF) and the Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury Foundation for Women’s Cancer, and the opening of the first Women’s Cancer Center in Lebanon and the region. The ceremony took place in the Council Hall at the hospital's headquarters, attended by Minister of Public Health Dr. Firas Abiad, Minister of State for Administrative Development Najla Riachi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee MP Bilal Abdullah, Rector of Saint Joseph University and Chairman of the Board of Hôtel-Dieu de France Father Professor Salim Daccache, General Director of the (USJ-HDF) Hospitals Network Nassib Nasr, Director of the Women’s Cancer Center Professor David Attallah, and President of the Foundation Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury, as well as representatives from Benta Group and a crowd of doctors, academics, hospital administrators, and media representatives.

Nassib Nasr, General Director of Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospitals Network

Nassib Nasr, General Director of Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospitals Network, delivered a speech in which he said: "It is with great honor and pride that I welcome you today to this healthcare institution. Your presence with us, Mr. Prime Minister, is a clear testament to your commitment to the healthcare sector. We are also honored to have the Minister of Health with us, who plays a crucial role in enhancing public health and safety. Your presence today demonstrates your interest in strengthening our ongoing cooperation.

This hospital has always been a cornerstone of the community. In this institution, teams of dedicated professionals work tirelessly to ensure the highest quality of healthcare services. During these challenging times, characterized by unprecedented difficulties, we have proven our high resilience and capacity for innovation and modernization to meet people's needs.

Today, we gather with great pride, showing our full attention and expressing our deepest sentiments, to inaugurate the Women Cancer Institute, a project we have long been committed to. I extend my thanks once again to the Prime Minister for his sponsorship of this crucial and indeed necessary initiative and for his full support. Today, we have made a pivotal step in the fight against cancer, a disease affecting millions of women worldwide. This center is not just a place or a building; it is a symbol of hope, solidarity, and commitment to providing the best healthcare services to protect women's health. Our mission is clear: to provide high-quality care and support equally. The healthcare professionals at this center are expert practitioners, always ready to offer top-level health services and to support every woman in her journey to recovery. I would like to particularly mention Dr. David Attallah, one of our most skilled specialists.

We must also emphasize the importance of raising awareness about this disease and prevention methods. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who contributed to the realization and completion of this project, especially the partnership with the Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury Foundation for Women’s Cancer. Thanks to your commitment and determination, this new center has come to light. Together, we can transform the lives of many and make significant changes. Thank you for your presence. Together, hand in hand, we continue the fight for the health and well-being of women and humanity.

Father Daccache

Father Salim Daccache, President of Saint Joseph University and Chairman of the Board of Hôtel-Dieu de France, said in his speech:

"It is an honor for us that Prime Minister Najib Mikati is sponsoring this important event in the history of a hospital that has surpassed its centenary and Saint Joseph University Beirut, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. We are also delighted to have with us His Excellency Dr. Firas Abiad, the Minister of Public Health, who continues to support the projects of Hôtel-Dieu de France and lead the national cancer control plan, not to forget Minister of Administrative Development Najla Riachi, who is a proud alumna of our university. We are all pleased to be here today to inaugurate this new and pioneering Women’s Cancer Center at Hôtel-Dieu de France."

He continued: "The fact that this event is taking place today under the patronage of Prime Minister Najib Mikati is evidence that this center has a national mission for all Lebanese women and non-Lebanese, as well as a regional and international mission."

Father Daccache stated that this center, created through the partnership between Hôtel-Dieu de France under its General Director, Dr. David Attallah, and the Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury Foundation, sets a very high standard for all of us, especially for specialists. What is being done today, according to the most convincing testimonies, is indeed of global quality and meets many expectations and challenges.

He added: "On November 26, 2022, Dr. David Attallah, who loves surprises, gave us a wonderful piece of news. He wrote to us, saying: 'I am pleased to share with you that the Department of Gynecology at the hospital has been accredited by ESGO as a reference center for ovarian cancer (the first in the Middle East). Thus, the hospital is recognized as an outstanding center in this subspecialty worldwide. It is an honor for me to be able to fulfill the mission of Hôtel-Dieu de France, the mother institution, at the highest level. This will make it easier for our hospital to remain at the forefront. We were all very excited by this good news, and a celebration was organized to mark the occasion. Mrs. Helena Opolika, the Secretary-General of ESGO, was particularly enthusiastic, announcing the good news with the following words: "I am truly pleased and honored to inform you that the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) recognizes the accreditation of Hôtel-Dieu de France in Beirut, Lebanon, as an ESGO-certified center for advanced ovarian cancer surgery, the first ESGO-accredited center in the Middle East. This accreditation is granted for a period of five years.' I am confident that it will continue now, with the research, study, and prevention center, for many years to come."

Father Daccache acknowledged: "It is true that Dr. David is a pioneer in this field, and more and more people and patients are turning to him for help, due to his dedication and humanity. For a center like this to fulfill its countless tasks, including case studies, diagnosis, treatment, scientific research, and proposals for combating visible and invisible enemies, as well as prevention programs, a genuine team of specialists who work together is required. I would also like to see a role dedicated to the younger members of the medical school, such as interns and residents."

He emphasized that it is advisable for this scientific work to be based on an interdisciplinary approach, spanning from medical specialties closely related to the subject to those that are more distant, including economic, humanitarian, and social sciences. The presence of a scientific advisory board for this center would enhance its visibility and the role it will play in the coming days and months.

Father Daccache highlighted that this center has no geographical limits, as our network of hospitals extending from Fiyadiyeh to Baghdad will be ready to participate and contribute. Many people and teams have been involved in the creation of this center.

Dr. David Attallah

Dr. David Attallah, the Director of the Center, said:

"September is Women’s Cancer Awareness Month. This event coincides with the middle of this month, which is symbolic. Our center aims to assist women with gynecological and breast cancers, providing them with awareness, prevention, research, and treatment.

This center, inaugurated under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers, will be the first of its kind in Lebanon and the region and a pioneer in the Arab world in prevention, research, and treatment. We have long been involved in cancer care at Hôtel-Dieu, and we continue to be. We were among the first with the Ponthus Institute in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, we are leading in the treatment of women’s and breast cancers. Our center is accredited by ESGO as a specialized center for ovarian cancer treatment, the first in the Arab world, and we are part of the global Breast Cancer Network.

We face many challenges in healthcare that we cannot overcome because of numerous financial obstacles, whether related to the cost of medication or surgery, which patients cannot afford. Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury has generously helped many patients unable to cover their costs, contributing to their recovery. Minister Dr. Firas Abiad is implementing a five-year plan to organize and establish principles for cancer treatment. This plan was inaugurated by the President last year, and our center, which we are opening under his patronage, is a tangible testament to this plan aimed at improving cancer treatment performance.

Before I conclude, I would like to first thank Father Salim Daccache, the Jesuit priest, Rector of Saint Joseph University, and the hospital, who is behind this entire project. I also want to thank Mr. Nassib Nasr, the General Director of the hospital, for all his efforts and work.

I want to extend my gratitude to Minister of Public Health, Professor Firas Abiad, for all his efforts in combating cancer. I also thank Minister Najla Riachi for everything she did to ensure the success of this event.

Special thanks go to Diana and Bernard for all their accomplishments, which will benefit all patients. I would like to thank the Faculty of Medicine, represented by its Dean, Professor Elie Nemer, and the Medical Administration, represented by Professor Georges Dabar, and the Medical Committee, represented by Professor Elie Chelala. I also want to thank the colleagues who have worked and will work together, and the Nursing Department, represented by Sister Suzanne. Lastly, I want to thank the President for honoring us with his patronage of this event and for being with us today.

Finally, we must recognize that this center is equipped to provide care for every cancer patient, and financial constraints should not be a barrier to treatment and recovery."

Diana Tannoury

Diana Tannoury announced in her speech:

"I stand before you today because I carry a message, and every message carries a story. I am Diana Tannoury, a survivor of cancer.

In January 2021, I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer, which had begun nine months earlier and appeared on MRI as two simple cysts in the appendages. A cyst is the first sign of ovarian cancer, and if detected early and followed up with the appropriate tests and medical protocols, a woman's life can be saved.

When ovarian cancer is diagnosed, 60% of cases are at stage III, with a five-year survival rate of about 40%. This means that cancer cells have spread from the ovaries or fallopian tubes to the surrounding tissues, such as the abdominal cavity or lymph nodes.

My condition was not monitored by the gynecological oncologist who discovered the cysts at another hospital. After nine months, due to pain in the pelvic area, an additional MRI was performed, revealing the advanced stage of cancer. God led me to Hôtel-Dieu.

I attribute my survival to the treatment and care I received from ethical and professional doctors with a strong faith in Christ and their skills.

I declared: I was diagnosed with cancer like many other women; today in Lebanon, a significant number of these women cannot access early cancer diagnosis through MRI, life-saving surgeries, or medical treatments. Thus began my mission.

After undergoing tumor removal surgery in January 2021, we started supporting women cancer patients at Hôtel-Dieu by donating the Rubina 4K system, which features fluorescence-guided surgery, providing clear visualization of details and helping in the early detection of endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancer as well as lymph nodes if involved.

This was a positive step, but it made me realize that despite the benefits of this machine in early detection and surgeries for early-stage ovarian cancer and other gynecological cancers, many women cannot benefit due to high costs.

It was necessary to create a comprehensive support system to follow up with patients in need, from diagnosis to surgeries, supplementary treatments, medical and psychological assistance.

With the support of Hôtel-Dieu’s management and doctors, we have been helping women cancer patients over the past two years through funding for surgeries and medical treatments.

Today, we inaugurate the Women’s Cancer Center, and our vision is to transform the landscape of women’s healthcare in Lebanon through awareness of early cancer and pre-cancer detection, prevention, surgical interventions, medical support, research, and empowerment, in addition to providing high-quality care."

Minister of Health

Minister of Health Dr. Firas Al-Abyad highlighted the difficult conditions Lebanon is facing, which have impacted various sectors, including healthcare. Since cancer patients constantly need hope, this center will provide a significant amount of hope for these patients, especially women.

He said, "We wanted the Ministry of Health to use this crisis as an opportunity to reorganize cancer care through the collaboration of various parties. I am pleased that we are all represented at the table, from the academic and scientific sectors to specialists such as doctors, including my friend Dr. David Attallah, and esteemed academic and scientific institutions like Hôtel-Dieu University Hospital, in addition to patients who are an essential part of the plan we are working on, which is the National Cancer Plan launched in July 2023.

He announced, "The responsibility is great for us as officials, as a Ministry of Health and as a government, to find solutions to this issue."

He added, "One of the first things we say to cancer patients as doctors is that the situation is difficult, but there are many solutions, and if we follow them, we can provide a great deal of hope for recovery. As for the cancer situation in this country, represented by these crises, hopefully, we can say that while the situation is difficult, with the combined efforts of the state and various sectors, we can move from this place to a much better one."

Prime Minister’s Speech

The Prime Minister gave a speech in which he said: "It is true that today’s event carries a lot of pain and ongoing concern about a disease that has become a daily worry for all Lebanese and for people worldwide. However, the approach we are about to launch carries a lot of hope and determination to face this issue with awareness and responsibility.

He praised Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital and the Diana Bou Dargham Tannoury Foundation for Women’s Cancer for inaugurating the Women’s Cancer Center at the hospital and launching an awareness and education workshop on this disease, which has become one of the greatest health challenges we face in our current era and a leading cause of death worldwide, especially in Lebanon.

He said, "We in the government give this issue the utmost priority and are collaborating with all concerned parties to organize the process of obtaining necessary treatment according to a five-year plan established by Minister of Health, which is being meticulously implemented. This plan considers available resources and priorities, given the numerous burdens and limited resources. In every Cabinet session, the Minister has emphasized the persistence and dedication to prioritizing prevention.

He added, "We all need to increase awareness among Lebanese people about the importance of early detection and cancer prevention, the necessity of adopting a healthy lifestyle, and avoiding risk factors, primarily smoking. Additionally, we must teach individuals that they have significant power to influence their health and reduce the risk of cancer by taking simple steps such as proper nutrition and regular exercise."

He concluded, "Bless your efforts, and we wish everyone continued health. With God’s will, we hope to reduce the number of cases of this disease and ensure that everyone receives the necessary treatments."

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