Health Awareness
Effecting real change to health begins with the power of information & conversation
Public health awareness is important to managing the health of our communities. Through collaborations and partnerships with local health experts from prominent primary health care facilities and university hospitals, Ajialouna actively promotes conversations and workshops on health awareness issues including screening for diseases, environmental factors, and the effects of lifestyle on health. Our health initiatives target health awareness in public schools and the elderly community.
"ANA KABERT" Girls Health Awareness Program
“ANA KABERT” IS A HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM STARTED IN 2001 TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OF GIRLS’ PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING PUBERTY
- The program targets girls between the ages of 11-14 years in both public and private schools
- ANA KABERT has been made possible without long-term partnership and collaboration with Proctor and Gamble
- Trained midwives provide health education and awareness on the physical and psychological changes during puberty
ANA Kabert helps promote awareness of young women’s health and hygiene in an educational setting and safe environment.
Health & Nutrition Awareness Program
In 1999, an awareness program on health, nutrition and food safety was launched by Ajialouna. Between 1999 and 2015, the program benefitted an estimated 780 school children annually to raise awareness on the benefits of food and nutrition on health as well as food safety and preparation. The program was supplemented by special guest lectures from experts in the field to share information and advice.
Previous Health Awareness Programs
Dental Sealant Program
A collaboration between the Lebanese University Faculty of Dental Medicine and Ajialouna helped implement a Dental Sealant Program between 2010 to 2017.
The program was funded by the National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) and campaigned to prevent tooth decay using isolation technology known as a dental sealant. The program was based in Beirut public schools to address children from low-income families who are unlikely to seek dental care. The program included visiting doctors from the Faculty of Dentistry of the Lebanese University to public schools whereby doctors conducted dental exams for students. Under this program, almost 2,544 school children were treated and benefited from dental care and applied sealants.
Ibtissama ("Smile")
In 2008, Ajialouna launched the Ibtissama program (“Smile”) as a way to bring smiles, lightheartedness, and fun to hospitalized children with chronic illnesses. The program was created to provide a safe, relaxing environment to children and their families in the Between 2008 and 2011, 5,000 visits were made to children in hospitals across Beirut including:
- Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH)
- American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC)
- Children Cancer Center (St. Jude)
- Hotel Dieu de France
- Makassed General Hospital
In 2012, the management of the project was transferred to the “Smile Foundation” to sustain and develop the program under a dedicated foundation.