A Remarkable Day for Lebanon in Nano and Robotic Surgery: Officially, Lebanon Joins the Global Map of Modern Surgeries with IrcadLiban
This event was held under the patronage of His Excellency President General Joseph Aoun, represented by Minister of Health Professor Rakan Nassereddine, at Mashreq Hospital – Sin El Fil. It was attended by Professor Jacques Marescaux, President of IRCAD Global, Professor Antoine Maalouf, President of Mashreq Hospital and Founder of the academy in Lebanon, along with prominent medical and media figures.
This inauguration was exceptional, symbolizing Lebanon's strong return to the global medical stage, particularly in advanced robotic surgery. Following the launch, a special meeting took place between Marescaux and Maalouf with the President at Baabda Palace, where they presented the project's details and its scientific and medical significance.
To reinforce its status, the academy hosted an Iftar banquet in the evening, attended by Minister of Information Dr. Paul Marcos, along with leading journalists, doctors, and participants, concluding a day of outstanding success.
Official Opening Ceremony and Key Speeches
During the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, key figures from the healthcare and academic sectors delivered speeches emphasizing the importance of this achievement in enhancing Lebanon's position in robotic surgery.
Professor Rakan Nassereddine, Minister of Health, representing His Excellency President General Joseph Aoun, highlighted the significance of this initiative in advancing surgical skills and fostering medical collaboration between Lebanon and France.
Professor Khalil Armach, President of the Lebanese Association of Urological Surgery, praised IrcadLiban's role in revolutionizing the training of Lebanese and Arab surgeons in the latest robotic surgery techniques.
Mr. Sleiman Haroun, President of the Syndicate of Hospitals in Lebanon, emphasized the academy's contribution to strengthening Lebanon's healthcare sector and establishing it as a regional hub for advanced surgeries.
Professor Youssef Bakhash, President of the Lebanese Order of Physicians, stated that the academy would elevate medical training and provide a distinguished scientific platform for Lebanese doctors in the field of advanced surgery.
A message from His Excellency President General Joseph Aoun was read during the ceremony, underscoring the significance of this achievement in enhancing Lebanon's medical standing globally and supporting initiatives that advance the country's healthcare and education sectors.
IrcadLiban Training Program: A Leap into the Future
Following the official launch, training sessions and live surgeries between IrcadLiban and IRCAD France commenced, including: March 27: Live robotic surgeries, including prostate procedures and partial nephrectomy.
March 28: Workshops on robotic urological surgery, including sacral hernia repair and radical cystectomy, with live surgical broadcasts.
March 29: Exploring the future of robotic surgery, including single-port surgery and remote surgery.
Established in 2019 as a non-profit institution, the academy aims to enhance surgical skills using the latest technologies, primarily the advanced Da Vinci surgical system. By attracting top global expertise, IrcadLiban has become a gateway for training Lebanese and Arab surgeons, reinforcing Lebanon's position as a regional center for innovation in modern surgery.
This event marks a milestone in Lebanese medical history, as IrcadLiban paves the way for a new generation of surgeons equipped with the latest technological advancements, contributing to improved healthcare services both locally and regionally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
a day ago
- The National
Pictures of the week: From an aid ship leaving Abu Dhabi for Gaza to an equestrian stunt in Kyrgyzstan
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not? Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer. The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption. The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down. Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes. But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly. Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron. It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions. So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in. Rory Reynolds
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Dubai Eye
Dubai scientists advance precision medicine with Arab pangenome study
In a groundbreaking development for healthcare and genetic research, scientists at Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference—a major leap forward in precision medicine for the region. The research, featured in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, provides a vital foundation for personalised healthcare tailored to Arab populations. Using advanced DNA sequencing from 53 individuals of diverse Arab heritage living in the UAE, researchers identified over 110 million new DNA base pairs, nearly nine million small genetic differences, and more than 235,000 larger structural variations unique to Arabs—many of which had never been documented before. The study supports the UAE's National Genome Strategy, launched in 2023 to push the frontiers of personalised and preventive medicine. One notable finding was a duplicated gene called TAF11L5, found in Arab individuals but absent in global genetic databases. Scientists believe this could offer new insights into disease risk and treatment response. Researchers say the Arab Pangenome will help close long-standing gaps in global genomic data and enable the development of more accurate diagnostic tools and therapies for the region. The project also developed 'PanScan', a bioinformatics tool to support more complex analysis of human pangenomes. Although not the central focus of the study, PanScan enables researchers to detect gene duplications, novel DNA changes, and complex DNA structures. Now publicly available on GitHub, a common resource used by scientists worldwide, the tool was created to support the Arab Pangenome Reference and similar efforts globally. Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, have published the first Arab Pangenome Reference, marking a major milestone in both regional and global genomic research. The study, released in… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 24, 2025
Hi Dubai
2 days ago
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Health Scientists Publish First Arab Pangenome Reference, Advancing Precision Medicine in the Region
Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the academic and research arm of Dubai Health, have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference. The landmark study, featured in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications , sets a new benchmark for precision medicine and personalised healthcare in the region. The breakthrough aligns with the UAE's National Genome Strategy, a 10-year plan launched by the Emirates Genome Council in 2023 to enhance preventive and precision-based care using genomic science. The Arab Pangenome Reference is a foundational contribution to this vision. Built using high-quality DNA sequencing data from 53 individuals of diverse Arab descent residing in the UAE, the reference fills a critical gap in global genetic databases, which have long underrepresented Arab populations. The research uncovered over 110 million base pairs of novel DNA sequences and identified nearly 9 million small genetic variants, along with over 235,000 large structural differences unique to Arab genomes. These findings are significant not just for the region, but for the global scientific community, said Prof. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority and co-author of the study. We are enabling more precise and equitable healthcare by building a genome reference that reflects our population. One of the study's key discoveries includes the identification of a duplicated gene, TAF11L5, which was found to be highly enriched in Arab individuals but absent in current global references. This gene may influence the activity of other genes, with potential implications for disease risk and treatment response. The research was conducted entirely in-house at MBRU's Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG). This integration allowed us to control the full research pipeline—from sequencing to bioinformatics—ensuring top-tier quality, said Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Provost at MBRU and co-author of the study. As part of the initiative, the team also developed a new open-source bioinformatics tool called PanScan, which facilitates the detection of gene duplications and complex DNA structures. The tool is now publicly accessible on GitHub, enabling scientists worldwide to benefit from the work. Dr. Mohammed Uddin, Director of CATG and senior author of the study, noted: This pangenome reference is a major step in understanding Arab genetic diversity. It will be a critical asset for both research and clinical diagnostics. The study not only enhances the scientific understanding of Arab genomics but also reinforces Dubai Health's long-term commitment to world-class research and innovation in healthcare. MBRU's research strategy continues to contribute meaningful data to international scientific efforts, while ensuring local populations are represented in global health advancements. The full study can be accessed at Nature Communications. News Source: Dubai Media Office
