In alignment with its purpose of “Doing now what patients need next”, Roche Lebanon SARL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital and Saint Joseph University. This MoU builds upon an established partnership, dedicated to elevating the healthcare landscape in Lebanon. Signed at a ceremonial gathering on April 19th at the hospitals’ premises in Beirut, the MoU is designed to establish a robust framework for joint initiatives, amplifying the effectiveness of this dynamic alliance.
Through this memorandum, the signatories will collaborate in various areas, including innovation and research, medical education, patient support, medical tourism, and digitization and technology.
Signing the memorandum were Father Salim Daccache, Rector of Saint Joseph University; Dr. Carole Hassoun, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals Levant; and Mr. Nassib Nasr, General Manager of Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital.
Roche recognizes the precious value of close collaboration between pharma and academia to create stronger, more resilient and responsive health systems aimed at balancing the pressing healthcare demands that meet the needs of tomorrow. In light of this, Roche is committed to complement its scientific endeavors with crucial partnerships to harness the vast potential of innovation in diagnostics, medicine and data/digitization. This will lead the current and next healthcare generations toward improving patients’ health and lives.
At the beginning of the event, Mr. Nassib Nasr took the stage to offer a heartfelt welcome to all participants. With gratitude, he expressed, “I am pleased to witness the joining of two esteemed institutions, HDF and Roche, for the betterment of patient care, the advancement of medical research, and the evolution of healthcare. This partnership will strengthen our existing bonds and allow us to broaden our collaboration. We firmly believe that this alliance will yield benefits for all stakeholders in the healthcare sector, and we are eager to work together to achieve our common goals.”
According to Dr. Carole Hassoun, this is a pivotal moment in Lebanon’s healthcare system, which is facing unprecedented challenges met with an unparalleled convergence of medical and scientific knowledge, technology, and data sciences that are revolutionizing disease diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Hassoun added: “As a pharmaceutical industry and company, we cannot fully leverage the potential of this era without close collaboration among all stakeholders in the healthcare system. Roche’s primary contribution to healthcare lies in innovation, in discovering and developing drugs and diagnostics capable of significantly improving people’s lives and supporting public health.”
Stressing that both scientific innovation and partnerships between industries are vital for public and private health sectors, she concluded by affirming that the future of healthcare systems we all rely on is a shared responsibility.
For his part, Father Salim Daccache s.j., shared his profound pride in forging this partnership and said, “The signing of the MoU between Roche and Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital is of great importance. Despite the longstanding challenges, this agreement strengthens our belief in our ability to join forces and move forward. We are proud to establish this alliance with Roche to collaborate in the fields of innovation, scientific research, medical education, patient support, medical tourism, digitalization, and new technologies. Our partnership will contribute to improving healthcare services in the suburbs of Beirut and remote areas.”
He concluded by expressing his deep gratitude for the trust bestowed, and suggested a collective approach towards achieving successful initiatives and activities.
Roche Lebanon has played a pivotal role in enhancing the healthcare system in the country for over 75 years. Today, amid the critical circumstances prevailing in Lebanon and the region, Roche sustains its unwavering commitment to fostering closer ties and partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, and leveraging its vital function to provide pioneering solutions that contribute to the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals. Through these partnerships, the company strives to not only secure the sustainability of the healthcare system but also position Lebanon as a leader in the region.
