BEIRUT -- Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus on Friday touted Kuwait as a strategic partner to Lebanon in the health sector, citing its unremitting assistance to Lebanon to overcome its crises.

Speaking to KUNA while visiting Beirut, he said the State of Kuwait has provided immediate support to Lebanon in a bid to ease out the ramifications of its crises, especially during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In this context, Ghebreyesus appreciated Kuwait Red Crescent Society for having offered USD 500,000 for providing virus vaccines to Lebanese people, and Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

He added that Kuwait had contributed to the restoration of a public medicine store and several hospitals that were affected by the 2020 Beirut Port explosion, and to supplying medical equipment and serums to 11 laboratories.

The WHO chief noted that Kuwait's unyielding backing to the needy people worldwide comes at a time when everyone needs to help each other.

He emphasized that the WHO and other donors were working hard to respond to crises like the refugee problem, the Coronavirus pandemic, Beirut Port blast and the economic crisis in Lebanon.

Ghebreyesus pointed out that the organization has provided public hospitals in Lebanon with over 500 nurses to attend to patients languishing in intensive care units. -- KUNA