Restoration work at Lebanon’s Saint George Hospital University Medical Centre is complete, five years after the Beirut port blast destroyed parts of the building.
Standing just 500 metres from the site, the 150-year-old hospital, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious medical institutions, suffered extensive damage in the August 4, 2020 explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured thousands.
Four members of the hospital’s nursing staff died, as well as 12 patients and a visitor. More than 100 doctors, nurses and administrative staff suffered injuries ranging from mild to critical, said hospital officials.
Chief executive Ziad Haydar told The National that despite the destruction the hospital’s recovery stands as a testament to the resilience of the staff and the support from donors.
“We are back to normal and providing services just like before the blast, thanks to the loyalty of the staff and aid contribution,” Dr Haydar said.
The hospital's emergency and trauma unit only fully reopened in May. Its restoration was made possible by a Dh8.7 million ($2.36 million) donation from the Big Heart Foundation, a Sharjah-based humanitarian organisation.
“The aid from the UAE was major and it helped us to operate again and serve the community. We are forever thankful to the UAE,” Dr Haydar said.
The upgraded unit has state-of-the-art medical equipment, expanded capacity, enhanced trauma care facilities and a new paediatric section to serve 40,000 patients per year.
The crucial funding was made possible by the Salam Beirut campaign, which raised more than Dh30 million for recovery work following the explosion.
The 380-bed hospital had not stopped operating since its inauguration in 1878, but the blast forced it to halt for a couple of weeks.
“The hospital has strong bond with the society. Faith and loyalty of many people during this hard time helped to rebuild the hospital. We are now operating with 270 beds,” Dr Haydar said.
Joseph Wehbe, chief of staff and head of the emergency and trauma centre at the hospital, recalled the first time he saw the building after the blast.
“I wasn’t in the hospital at time of explosion. When I arrived, it was a hard scene,” Dr Wehbe told The National.
“In every room on every floor windows burst, doors flew off their hinges, ceilings collapsed and equipment toppled.”
Ghada Abou Assaly, chief human resources officer, said the screams of bloodied patients, doctors and nurses could be heard in the darkness.
“The blast was beyond imagination. The hospital that treated injuries became injured,” Ms Assaly told The National.
“Paramedics and doctors started treating each other and at same time rescuing patients.”
The next day, staff and community members began cleaning in an effort to reopen the hospital.
“We witnessed many wars and conflicts but this blast was different. Despite that we have 1,500 staff members and all of them were heroes in reopening the hospital,” Ms Assaly added.
“They didn’t stop lifting the debris to accommodate patients. We are like a family.”
Dr Wehbe said the determination and resilience of the medical and administrative teams helped to resume operations in a temporary emergency unit within just two weeks.
“There was no glass for windows, and we used white plastic to cover it. We resumed work in a difficult situation, but we have to serve our community,” he added.
Dr Wehbe said the rehabilitation, restoration and expansion of the emergency and trauma unit marks a moment of great pride for everyone at the hospital.
“We couldn’t open the trauma and emergency section without the help and the funds from the UAE. No words can show our gratitude to the UAE,” Dr Wehbe said.
“We are planning to be the most advanced, best trauma and emergency unit in Lebanon and the Middle East by June 2026.”
Alya Al Musaiebi, director of the Big Heart Foundation, said standing beside Beirut in moments of hardship is a reflection of the enduring bond between the UAE and Lebanon.
“Beirut has always been more than a city. It is a place bound to us by shared history, deep cultural ties and a longstanding spirit of solidarity,” Ms Al Musaiebi told The National.
“The restoration of the emergency department at Saint George Hospital is a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to protect the most essential human rights even in the most difficult circumstances.”
She said the project represents the foundation’s belief that rebuilding should never mean returning to what was, but moving forward what can be better.
“At the Big Heart Foundation, we see health care as the first step towards recovery and a critical foundation for rebuilding lives, restoring public trust and fostering resilience,” she added.
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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SPECS
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Race card
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule
August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland
Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE
December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman
February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG
June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland
September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Company%20profile
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MORE FROM CON COUGHLIN
England squads for Test and T20 series against New Zealand
Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes
T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
Dubai World Cup draw
1. Gunnevera
2. Capezzano
3. North America
4. Audible
5. Seeking The Soul
6. Pavel
7. Gronkowski
8. Axelrod
9. New Trails
10. Yoshida
11. K T Brave
12. Thunder Snow
13. Dolkong
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
