Beirut:The American University of Beirut (AUB) recently hosted the 52nd Middle East Medical Assembly (MEMA) from October 22-25, 2026, focusing on "Women's Health Across the Life Course Redesigning Future Care." This event was co-organized with M2Med and supported by the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), featuring workshops and discussions on contemporary women's health issues.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the assembly was inaugurated at the Issam Fares Lecture Hall at AUB, attended by several notable figures including Ambassador Sahar Baassiri Salam, vice president of the National Commission for Lebanese Women; Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president; Dr. Raymond Sawaya, vice president for medical affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at AUB; Dr. Ali Taher, associate vice president for academic centers, development, and external affairs at AUB; and Dr. Faysal El Kak, chair of MEMA 2026.
This assembly was the first to focus entirely on women's health, engaging healthcare leaders, researchers, and educators from various regions. It aimed to promote an integrative approach to women's healthcare, with sessions covering various life stages such as adolescence, pregnancy, midlife, menopause, and healthy longevity.
Dr. Khuri emphasized the importance of a life-course approach to women's health, highlighting the need for women's voices and experiences to inform their care. Ambassador Salam, in her keynote speech, stressed the national significance of the assembly, advocating for women's health, rights, and opportunities as essential for Lebanon's future.
Dean Sawaya and Dr. Taher both underscored MEMA's legacy of promoting clinical excellence and collaboration. Dr. El Kak highlighted the societal implications of women's health, stating that a health system's quality is reflected in its treatment of women throughout their lives.
The program featured integrated sessions with professionals from various medical fields, discussing innovative approaches to women's healthcare, including advancements in therapeutics, technology, and precision medicine. The assembly also addressed social, cultural, environmental, and policy factors affecting women's health.
The event concluded with the "Beirut Declaration on the Future of Women's Health," which outlined ten commitments to advance women's healthcare in Lebanon and the region. Additionally, Dr. El Kak announced AUB's commitment to becoming a menopause-friendly university, the first in the Arab world, reinforcing the assembly's message of comprehensive and equitable care for women.
