The Public Health Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) launched the Climate Change and Health Fellowship Program as part of the broader GeoHealth Hub initiative on the 13th of February 2025, at UOB Dekwaneh Campus. The program focuses on enhancing the capacity of individuals working in Lebanon’s ministries and organizations to address the health impacts of climate change.

Dr. Myriam Mrad, the Director of the Program, explained the program's objectives: “The goal of this program is to build capacity for people working in ministries to increase their knowledge on the effects of climate change and apply it in their work. The fellowship includes 15 participants from various ministries such as Environment, Health, Agriculture, Finance, as well as the Lebanese Red Cross and international organizations. They will complete five specialized courses over eight months.”

Dr. Huda Huijer, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, highlighted the importance of the fellowship: “This fellowship is the first of its kind in the region to focus on the intersection of climate change and health. We hope this initiative will help establish a model that could one day become a national policy. We look forward to the fellows contributing to the development of this field in Lebanon and beyond.”

UOB President, Dr. Elias Warrak, emphasized the relevance of the program in Lebanon's context: “Climate change is a global issue with serious health implications. It is critical that we address this topic and protect Lebanon’s climate and environment. We hope this initiative will play a significant role in raising awareness and inspiring action in Lebanon and the region.” It is worth mentioning that the Public Health Department at FHS received approximately $71,000 USD from the University of California San Diego, funded by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), to launch in the first-of-its-kind graduate-level fellowship in Climate Change Research and Action.

The event also featured a video interview with the former Minister of Public Health, Dr. Firas Abiad, who spoke about the importance of tackling climate change and its health impacts. The video reinforced the need for immediate action and the government's commitment to addressing these issues.

The Climate Change and Health Fellowship Program is a key part of the GeoHealth Hub initiative, aiming to build partnerships between universities, ministries, and organizations to tackle climate change's effects on public health.







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