Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension

 

It was Professor Joseph Naffah (USJ) and Professor Edmond Choueiry (AUH) who, back in 1973, had the idea of establishing the Lebanese Society of Nephrology and Hypertension.

Later in 1974, a few Beirut-established nephrologists began to hold regular meetings and Professor Joseph Naffah was elected first President of the LSNH.

 

Any nephrologist registered at the Physicians Syndicate had the right to become a member of the Society.

 

The first operating medical centers in town were back then: AUBMC, Saint Georges Hospital, Hotel Dieu, Rizk, Makassed, Trad, Ministry of Health Center, Hopital Libanais, Barbir.

 

The nephrologists at that time were: Dr Edmond Choueiry, Dr Adel Berberi, Dr Nabil Moukheiber, Dr Georges Bridi, Dr Issam Chehade, Dr Antoine Stephan, Mr Mike Balabanian, Dr Aida Moussalli, Dr Jacques Karam, Dr Elie Abdelnour, Dr Joseph Chahine, in addition to two pediatric nephrologists, Dr Amine Barakat and Dr Sami Sanjad.

 

The precarious situation prevailing in the country at that time prevented the Society from undertaking significant activities and the two-year war of 1975-76 brought all kinds of activities to an end. Despite the relative stabilization of the situation later on, very few meetings were held because a large number of members had fled the country.

 

In 1979-80, other nephrologists joined the Society such as Dr Edgar Nasr, Dr Antoine farah, Dr Nadra Wadih, Dr Hafez Alameh, Dr Kassem Hamade, and for the first time, dialysis centers situated outside of Beirut began to be operational: Batroun Center, Tripoli Center, ND of Jounieh Center and Sidon Center.

 

The then President Professor Naffah was nominated President of the CNRS and his term came to an end in the late 70s and Dr Adel Berberi was elected second President of the Society.

 

Dr. Jaques Karam