BEIRUT: Geitawi Hospital will become a university hospital after signing an agreement with the Faculty of Medicine at the Lebanese University on the occasion of World Day of the Sick.

The ceremony was attended by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, Health Minister Ali Hasan Khalil, LU president Adnan Sayyed Hussein and hospital chief Sister Gabriel Bou Musa, the National News Agency reported.

In his speech, Khalil saluted the hospital’s administration and stressed the importance of the partnership with LU. “As Lebanese citizens and as officials we should provide all the necessary support for LU so that it will continue to play its role as a pioneer.”

He saluted LU’s efforts to consolidate its relationship with different ministries, notably the Health Ministry, and public hospitals. “The Lebanese are worried about their future due to ongoing political disputes which will not be resolved unless rivals go back to dialogue and serious discussion takes place until they reach an electoral law that satisfies all parties,” Khalil added.

He announced that the ministry has allocated an additional LL500 million to cover the expenses of hospitalization for patients who don’t have NSSF or private medical insurance coverage.

Rai hailed the agreement between Geitawi and LU. “We thank God for the achievements of the hospital and the current development projects that will add 114 additional beds in addition to a lecture hall and a medical library.”

“The Lebanese University will assist the hospital’s administration in applying academic regulations and it will also help its doctors in acquiring academic titles,” Sayyed Hussein said prior to signing the agreement.