The American University of Beirut Graduates Its 156th Cohort of Trailblazers
Geha concluded with words of wisdom as the class of 2025 looked toward a new chapter in their journey of trailblazing leadership and impactful service, 'To the graduating students, I say work hard, nose to the ground.' He added that, 'the two things worth spending money on are education and memories. AUB has given you plenty of each. Use both to live life more abundantly.'
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Jordan Times
an hour ago
- Jordan Times
Gov't, KBW sign JD133m deal to build Madaba hospital, digitise military medical services
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Saturday oversaw the signing of two agreements aimed at boosting Jordan's healthcare sector, in the presence of Saudi Prince Khaled Bin Alwaleed, Chairman of KBW Investments, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti. The first agreement, signed between the government and KBW Investments, paves the way for the construction of a new public hospital in Madaba, according to a Prime Ministry statement. The second agreement, between the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and Farah Jordan for Smart Cities, an army-affiliated company partially owned by KBW, focuses on advancing digital transformation in hospitals run by the Royal Medical Services (RMS). The agreement to establish the Madaba Government Hospital was signed by Minister of Investment Muthanna Gharaibeh, Minister of Health Firas Hawari, and KBW CEO Ahmad Sallakh. The digital services agreement was signed by Assistant Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Planning, Organisation and Defence Resources Brig. Gen. Ammar Saraira and Sallakh, on behalf of KBW, which owns 49 per cent of Farah Jordan's shares. The two agreements represent a significant foreign investment in a vital sector, with a total value of JD133 million, marking the beginning of broader public-private partnerships in areas such as transport, infrastructure, and healthcare, the statement said. Following the signing ceremony, Hassan emphasised the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors in enhancing the Kingdom's healthcare system. He also welcomed further investment with KBW, expressing appreciation for the company's contributions to corporate social responsibility, particularly in the education and health sectors. 'This is the first time a public hospital will be constructed in partnership with the private sector, after a delay of nearly a decade,' Hassan said. 'It is a much-needed project for the people of Madaba. The hospital, which will be fully government-run, will initially provide around 260 beds, expandable to 360. We expect citizens to benefit from its full services within three years.' Prince Alwaleed reiterated the company's long-term commitment to investing in Jordan. 'We consider Jordan our second home,' he said, noting that KBW has been operating in the country for more than 10 years and aims to expand across multiple sectors. Both projects are aligned with the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), particularly the pillar focused on quality of life, attracting foreign investment, and promoting digital transformation in the public sector, the statement said. The Madaba hospital project is classified as a major initiative under the Jordan Investment Fund Law and would be developed by KBW Investments and Infrastructure. It is the first partnership of its kind between the government and the private sector in the healthcare domain. The hospital would be built to the highest technical specifications, aiming to significantly improve healthcare services in Madaba and surrounding areas. The facility would consist of 13 floors, with a total built-up area of 54,000 square meters and an initial capacity of 260 beds, expandable to 360, according to the statement. It will also include eight main operating rooms, 60 outpatient clinics, 18 dialysis units, emergency care, lithotripsy and endoscopy units, intensive care, medical laboratories, catheterisation labs, and 830 parking spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year, with the public-private partnership expected to reduce the original estimated timeline from seven years to just three. KBW would be responsible for construction, while the Ministry of Health will operate the hospital and provide staffing, equipment, and medical supplies. The government will begin repayments to the company after project completion, spread over a 10-year period. Hassan had announced plans for the hospital earlier this year during a Cabinet session held in Madaba in March, the statement said. As for the second agreement, the digital transformation project aims to modernise services across hospitals, health centres, warehouses, and other facilities affiliated with the RMS. The initiative would enhance inventory governance, reduce medicine and equipment waste and improve the management of medical supplies and fixed assets such as hospitals and clinics. It would also help streamline operations in labs and radiology units. The project is expected to raise the quality of care provided to citizens and patients at RMS hospitals. Cost savings generated by the digital transformation will be used to cover the agreement's expenses, the statement said. The project is expected to raise the quality of care provided to citizens and patients at RMS hospitals. Cost savings generated by the digital transformation would be used to cover the agreement's expenses. The agreement also includes training and certification of technical staff to manage the digital system and ensure high-quality data input. The final value of the agreement, estimated at around JD45 million, would be determined based on the digital services identified by a joint technical committee from RMS and other relevant departments. Founded in 2013, KBW Investments operates across a range of sectors, including energy, real estate, finance, media, engineering, and technology. It maintains a broad international presence through affiliated companies in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy, Romania, and other countries, the statement said.
Al Bawaba
4 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Gaza: 76 children died of starvation
Published July 22nd, 2025 - 05:57 GMT ALBAWABA - The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced that 20 people died of starvation in just 48 hours. Also Read Netanyahu phones Pope after striking church attack in Gaza The ministry warned that what is happening in Gaza is a systematic starvation policy that has so far resulted in 86 deaths from starvation, including 76 children. Moreover, an Al Jazeera correspondent from the strip said that there are new cases of people showing symptoms of severe fatigue and sudden fainting while searching for flour in the streets of Gaza. The number of famine victims in Gaza is increasing amid Israel's continued blockade of humanitarian aid access to the strip, despite international organizations' warnings of a widespread famine. Yesterday, the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis announced the death of Raheel Muhammad Rasras, 32, from complications of severe malnutrition and dehydration. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
5 days ago
- Al Bawaba
AUB's Global Health Institute, in Partnership with WHO, Convenes Regional Dialogue on Advancing Refugee Sexual and Reproductive Health in the MENA Region
The Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) held the closing event of the Self-Efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) project as part of its Refugee and Migrant Health Program (RHP) under the theme 'Advancing Refugee and Migrant Health in the MENA Region'. The event brought together leading voices from local and international NGOs operating in Lebanon, alongside global and regional experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Lebanese Order of Midwives, the Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA), and AUB. The Self-Efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) project is a community-led intervention, developed in partnership with WHO and supported by Elrha, designed to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and well-being among refugee girls and young women. This is achieved through culturally sensitive, evidence-based education and psychosocial support delivered by trained refugee paraprofessionals. In his opening remarks, Dr. Fadlo Khuri, president of the American University of Beirut, described refugee health as one of the defining humanitarian crises of our time, requiring sustained, principled action. He emphasized that access to sexual and reproductive health is a right, not a privilege, especially for adolescent girls and young women displaced by conflict. Praising the SEEK project as a model of impactful, community-rooted intervention, he called for its lessons to be integrated into national strategies and long-term systems. Dr. Khuri also commended GHI for its leadership in refugee health through research, regional partnerships, and its commitment to collaboration grounded in trust and action. 'At AUB,' he concluded, 'we must continue to be active participants in shaping a healthier, more just future.' Following this, Associate Director of the Global Health Institute at AUB Nour El Arnaout, underscored that this moment marks more than the close of a project—it represents the beginning of a long-term, community-driven commitment to inclusive health, built on collaboration, meaningful impact, and a shared dedication to sustainability. Highlighting the SEEK project as a clear example, she spoke about GHI's mission of translating evidence into action, developing inclusive, digital, and community-rooted tools that advocate for a regional health agenda. Manager of the RHP program at GHI Rawad Malaeb, presented an overview of the Institute's portfolio of refugee health initiatives, including projects such as Sijilli, SEEK, MUH, and GAIN MHI, highlighting their commitment to high-impact, evidence-based interventions in partnership with local and international organizations. Research Consultant at GHI Hady Naal, then presented key findings from the SEEK project, which improved SRH and HIV knowledge, increased trust in healthcare providers, and enhanced well-being and coping skills among refugee girls and young women. The program's impact was sustained even in conflict settings, underscoring its potential for scaling and replication across fragile contexts. The event featured two panel discussions that examined both the realities and the opportunities for advancing SRH among refugee communities. The first panel, 'Mapping Realities', was moderated by GHI Associate Director Nour El Arnaout, and featured Dr. Christine AlKady, obstetricians team leader at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF); Dr. Michael Woodman, senior public health officer at UNHCR Lebanon; Dr. Rima Cheaito, president of the Lebanese Order of Midwives; and Wafa Kanaan, senior primary healthcare consultant at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Panelists explored barriers to SRH access such as stigma, misinformation, legal insecurity, high costs, and service gaps, emphasizing the need for integrated care, antenatal support, and investment in equitable healthcare systems. The second panel, "From Implementation to Impact," moderated by Dr. Tania Bosqui, associate professor of clinical psychology at AUB, examined effective design and scale-up strategies for community-based SRH interventions, with a focus on the SEEK project. Panelists included Dr. Veloshnee Govender, WHO scientist; Dr. Hala Youssef, UNFPA regional SRH adviser; Dr. Gladys Honein, associate professor at the Hariri School of Nursing at AUB; and Lina Sabra, SALAMA executive director. Speakers highlighted co-creation with refugee communities, culturally sensitive delivery, and the importance of linking SRH to gender-based violence prevention services. They called for sustainable, government-led financing and stronger roles for local NGOs as co-leaders in health programming. A key highlight of the event was a short video showcasing SEEK's implementation, featuring testimonials from refugee girls and young women, along with insights from trainers, psychologists, and field coordinators. The event concluded with a call to carry SEEK's momentum beyond the project, emphasizing the need to embed its lessons into national strategies and policy.
