Highlights & Selected Articles

• Environment (23/72 articles) showcased the resurgence of the waste crisis in Lebanon, especially in south Lebanon. Residents in the southern district of Nabatieh staged a demonstration to protest the pile-up of garbage in the streets and mismanagement of the area's waste crisis. This category also shed light on a new study on the effect of the waste crisis on public health in Lebanon. The research was conducted by a team of American University of Beirut researchers led by Dr. Monique Chaaya from the Faculty of Health Sciences and it highlights the risks to health posed by poor waste management, among other issues.
• Refugees (14/72 articles) reported on the construction of a large wall surrounding Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in south Lebanon which, reportedly, aims at providing more security for the camp. The Palestinian Hamas Movement rejected this decision saying that the Movement is against any “policy of collective isolation”. This category also shed light on the Lebanese Armed Forces Intelligence asking to evacuate Al-Rihaniyeh camp, home for more than 1500 Syrian refugees in Akkar, for private reasons. This category also covered Kuwait offering $7.9 million in aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, among other related articles.
• Water (7/72 articles) informed about caretaker Minister of Public Health, Wael Abu Faour, saying that a number of tests revealed that the quality of water in public and private schools across Lebanon was “very worrying.” This section also informed about drinking water in Beirut and Mount Lebanon that was tested and proven safe and bacteria free, according to a statement from the Establishment of The Water of Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

• Zika Virus (4/72 articles) reported on the World Health Organization saying that it no longer considers Zika as an emergency. WHO is now shifting to a longer-term approach against the virus that has spread across Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond.
• Patient Safety (4/72 articles) informed about the trial regarding the case of child Ella Tannous.
• Other (7/72 articles) compiled different public health related articles among them, scientists at the Imperial College of London developed a USB stick capable of measuring HIV levels in less than 30 minutes; caretaker Minister of Public Health in Lebanon, Wael Abu Faour, supported the legalization of weed; and Ministry of agriculture issued a warning to chicken farmers over the spread of bird flu. This category also shed light on a Lebanese campaign, initially launched by the KIP (Knowledge Is Power) Project at the American University of Beirut, aiming at raising awareness against sexual harassment.

• Food Safety (4/72 articles) covered the Ministry of Public Health’s weekly report as well as the 96^th list of conforming and non-conforming food establishments.
• Tobacco Related (2/72 articles) highlighted the state-run tobacco agency, Régie, contributing in the launching of a community center at Al Arida, Akkar. This section also covered China’s impending national smoking ban in public places.
• Pharmaceutical Sector (2/72 articles) mainly covered the 24^th Annual Congress of The Lebanese Order of Pharmacists under the theme "Advancing Pharmacist's Role: Together We Make a Difference".
• Hospitals (2/72 articles) shed light on administrative issues at Rafiq Hariri governmental hospital. This section also discussed low financial limits given by the MOPH to hospitals in Akkar area.
• Child Protection (2/72 articles) informed that 350 Palestinian minors are detained in Israeli jails, with some facing life sentences, according to a local Palestinian NGO. This theme also covered the International Child Day and called on international agencies particularly UNICEF, to intervene to protect Palestinian children in Israeli prisons. This section also showcased an infographic on the status of poor children in Lebanon.
• Substance Abuse (1/72 articles) highlighted an opinion article on the story of a drug user who shot his two children while they were sleeping.