“Crisis, Care, and Policy: A Conversation with Minister Haneen Sayed”

On April 4, the Institute and the Faculty of Medicine at the American University of Beirut launched the Program on Medical History, Ethics & Policy (MHEP) with a timely conversation titled “Crisis, Care, and Policy: A Conversation with Minister Haneen Sayed,” moderated by Joelle Abi-Rached, Associate Professor of Medicine and MHEP Founding Director.

The launch aimed not only to introduce and examine the structural foundations of medical decision-making, but also the broader social policy challenges affecting healthcare and the well-being of vulnerable populations in Lebanon.

Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed started by talking about her recent appointment, describing her role as a “profound shift” from policy formulation to hands-on governance. She noted the heightened responsibility that comes with being part of the government, emphasizing that the real impact lies in effective implementation.

Addressing the challenges within Lebanon’s social fabric, Sayed discussed the longstanding issues of poverty, healthcare inaccessibility, and inequality, stressing that a robust social protection framework must address four critical areas: early childhood development, healthcare access, nutrition and food security, and mental health support post-conflict. Recognizing the lack of data in Lebanon, she believed that while surveys conducted in 2023 provided preliminary insights, there is an urgent need for comprehensive data collection to properly inform policy.

Sayed detailed ongoing targeted measures to alleviate poverty in Lebanon, including support for vulnerable communities such as the disabled, and referenced the “Aman” program, a data-intensive initiative that supports around 800,000 Lebanese each month, as a promising model for reducing poverty through focused and categorical targeting. Sayed recognized that funding for such programs remained a substantial challenge, noting that her ultimate wish was to create economic opportunities that can lift citizens out of poverty.