The Islamic Health Society (IHS) promotes primary healthcare and preventative medical and education services, according to Islamic values and principals of non-discrimination.

1-The Society’s Message:

2- Objectives:

3- Relations:

4-Funding the Society:

5-Activities and Programs:

6-Achievements after liberation

1-The Society’s Message:

The Islamic Health Society (IHS) endeavours to bring the Lebanese community to health and social levels, conducive to individuals’ happiness and luxury in Lebanon according to the principles of Islam.

2- Objectives:

A- Make health and medical services available in impoverished areas neglected by the official health service Authorities.

B- Take necessary action on environment and health issues among dis-empowered social groups, and put an end to deprivation and discrimination.

C- Make health contribution programs accessible to all that need it.

D- Raise environment and health awareness and knowledge among the general public.

E- Form a medical and health experience according to the principles brought forward by Islamic faith.

3- Relations:

 Since its foundation in 1984, the IHS formed partnerships with local and international official health and social service groups.  These partnerships present both IHS and its partners opportunities to help families access health services that might not otherwise be available.  This co-operation tends to improve the state community of health.

Preventative Care

The IHS and the Ministry of Public Health manage and run a total immunisation program for children.

Over the last 10 years 100 public and private schools have been receiving Health Screenings and free medicines in a collaborated effort between the IHS and the Ministry of Education.

Ongoing co-operation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and local non-governmental organisations (n.g.o.) have produced several yearly campaigns.

Work with the World Health Organisation (WHO), through the Ministry of Health produced several yearly programs and contributions in many conferences and seminars abroad. The IHS shares similar positive and productive ties with other world organisations such as the UNDP, the UNFPA and the UNAIDS.

The common goal of improving overall health has brought the IHS and UNICEF to share a relationship of co-operation whose outcome so far has produced total immunisation programs raising the current state of health in Lebanon to a level found in developed countries, according to UNICEF studies and statistics.

The Society is looking into a Twin duplication process of its centres with similar organisations abroad to share experience and establish mutual support systems.

Excellent relations exist with Lebanese Universities (The Lebanese University, BALAMAND University, The American University of Beirut, and The Arab University) and Universities in friendly countries where our medical, technical and nursing staff receive training.

Positive relations are enjoyed with the Arab Network for Health and Social Sciences. 

4-Funding the Society:

 The Society's funding comes from 5 main sources, revenue, donations, sponsorship, religious tithing, service support and volunteering.

Due to the low current performance of the Lebanese economy as a whole, a dramatic increase in demand for free and symbolically priced services has been experienced, such as those provided by the IHS. To accommodate this sharp increase the Society has had to increase the variety of ‘Acceptable Donations’ to include all kinds of monetary payments, medicines, medical equipment and furnishings.

        ·          The symbolic fees charged on some of our services, other than those given free of charge, form a basic amount of revenue for the IHS.

        ·          Religious tithing and donations made by international societies and organisations.

        ·          A recently launched sponsorship program, gives willing donators the option of either carrying the expenses of specific sections in any IHS hospital or health centre, or adopting the running cost of a specific dispensary. All relevant data pertaining to a dispensary is made available upon the sponsors' request.

        ·          Companies and organisations whose goals and missions don't collide with those of the IHS,         have been able to assist in reducing the Society's running costs by sponsoring some of its activities.

        ·          On the other hand price reductions on medicines, furnishing and other necessities received from some companies and Societies additional to facilitating the Society's work, are extra forms of support that help reduce our expenses.

        ·          A new program that gives volunteering a more active and vital role in the Society’s body to expanding our volunteering sector is another cost reducing measure recently.

For more information please contact the following numbers:

Tel: 01/273389 –273390-273409

Fax: 01/273410

5-Activities and Programs:

 A-School Health:

The IHS and the Ministry of Health, run a yearly school health Screening program in Public Schools of Lebanon (Beirut, Bekaa & South Lebanon). This Screening includes a medical check up of all primary school pupils.

Screening results for 2001-2002 school year were as follows:

B-Vaccination Campaigns:

The IHS participates in carrying out vaccination campaigns against common and contagious diseases, organised by UNICEF in co-operation with the W.H.O. and the Lebanese Ministry of Heatlh.

Major campaigns for year 2001-2002:

1- Immunisation against measles and German masles for children aged between 1 and 15 years old.

2- Immunisation against polio for children aged between 1 day and 5 years old.

3- Irregular Immunisation campaigns against polio, mumps and hepatitis.

Campaign results were as follows:

C-Education Courses:

To increase health awareness in the community, the society’s Public Health Department runs health education and 1^st Aid courses in co-operation with community associations and organisations (Women's Associations, Martyr Society) targeting specific societal groups active in:

                                              ·          Spreading correct health information           

                                              ·          linking up with the volunteer section

                                              ·          executing health programs

                                              ·          adjusting incorrect health choices made by society.

Timetable of the courses achieved in 2001-2002

D-Lectures:

Still on raising health awareness and spreading the principle of prevention in the community, the IHS department of Public Health ran a series of lectures during 2001-2002, on different health topics. Some of these topics covered General health, pediatrics, reproductive health, common and transmitted diseases, chronic and non-transmitted diseases, smoking hazards and anti-smoking, prevention of accidents, etc…

A total of about 172 lectures were held at different locations within the regions of Beirut, South Lebanon and Bekaa.

Lectures Regional distribution and participation levels timetable:

E-Health Campaigns and Studies:

The IHS Public Health department successfully completed a group of projects, studies and health activities, the most outstanding of which, are:

1-Early detection of Cancer Diseases Campaign:

In co-operation with the National Association of Atomic energy, of the Lebanese Parliament, the Public Health Department carried out a laboratory test campaign for early detection of cancer through its health centres in Beirut, the south and Bekaa.  3,500 blood samples from both men and women were analysed. 

Types of tests:

2-Study on the spread Nargeeleh Smoking:

In collaboration with the Arab Network of Health and Social Sciences, our department of Public Health ran a survey assessing the spread of Hookah smoking among school pupils (public and private) in secondary and high school levels.  Choosing random specimens among these pupils to fill in a special survey questionnaire.

Survey Results

3- Diabetic Patients Awareness and Education Project:

In year 2000, the IHS in conjunction with W.H.O compiled facts on early detection of Diabetes.  This was followed by a 2^nd phase of holding a series of information sessions aimed at increasing knowledge and awareness among diabetic patients to prevent its complications.

Albatool Medical Centre-Alhermel, in North Bekaa region also ran a campaign over 6-day period testing for Diabetes.  300 people were found to have the illness among the 3,500 people tested.

5 sessions were held at Dar-Alhawraa Medical Centre under titled:

                        1-Diabetes and its complications

                        2-Diabetes and its relationship with eye diseases

                        3-Diabetes and its relationship with cholesterol

                        4-Nutrition for Diabetics (1)

                        5-Nutrition for Diabetics (2)

4-World Anti-smoking Day:

Participating in World theme days is becoming a tradition of the IHS.

The Society ran the following activities on World Anti-smoking Day:

-Year 1999, the IHS held the first conference titled “ A future without smoking”. 

-2000, the IHS held the second conference under the same title and 3 seminars on stopping smoking.

-2002, in a co-ordinated effort with the WHO and the National Anti smoking program, 21 lectures on 'smoking hazards' were given to Secondary and High school Classes, in public and private Schools with 1,337 participants attending. 

2 additional workshops titled “a future without smoking” were given at 2 locations:

                                                                                             1.         One in Bint Jubail, South Lebanon, attended by 18 participants from different orgaisations and associations.

                                                                                             2.         The other at Baalbek, Bekaa, attended by 40 participants from public and private schools and educational institutions.

5-Osteoporosis campaign:

Specialist Osteopath Doctor Showki Yunis and a group of specialist Gynecologists and Endocrinologists initiated a project on Osteoporosis that covered South Lebanon and Bekaa and included 5 information lectures, physical check-ups and x-ray tests.

357 women attended the lectures; x-ray tests were given to 231 of them.

6-Blood donation campaign on the 10^th day of Muharram:

On Marytyrdom day of Imam Hussein (Pbuh) which falls on the 10^th day of Muharram of each year, the controversial spiritual practice of releasing blood has been a custom for hundreds of years.

The IHS recorded a successful social change in this regard by turning this sensitive practice to a blood donation event.

The majority of the people expressed their welcome to this initiative by turning up in large numbers to donate blood at IHS locations on this day.

Now, with the assistance of the Lebanese Red Cross (who provides blood bags and equipment for the occasion), The IHS organises large-scale blood donation campaigns on this day of every year.

Donated blood units are often in excess of IHS needs who distributes the surplus to the Red Cross, hospitals and blood banks in Beirut and South Lebanon.

Miscellaneous Activities:

Approximately 177 AlBekaa students benefited from a blood group and type identification campaign at Albatool-Alhermel.

Free consultation visits and PSA tests were given to 37 people at Nabi Sheet Centre, in Bekaa, in a campaign on early detection of prostate cancer.

6-Achievements after liberation

 In 1984, a small group of experienced community members set out to establish the IHS.  The first step was the opening of Dar Alhawraa Blood Bank in a highly populated area that is lacking on health and medical services. 

This successful beginning soon sprouted dispensaries and health centres in different regions. Civil defense tasks were also taken on particularly in impoverished and underprivileged remote areas where such services were virtually non-existent.

In the four years that followed, the IHS made noticeable contributions on the nation's scale that it was officially categorised of 'public benefit' and thus it was licensed in 1988.  At this important point the IHS workload entered a major developmental turn.

The main objectives at the time were:

1- Support the community as a whole, and individuals resisting the Zionist occupation, by raising health and social standards.

2- Give priority to communities, steadfast in villages bordering the occupied zone, against daily Zionist terror tactics.

3- Participate with public and community groups in accomplishing primary health care programs.

As Israeli Occupation army began its retreat, a new chapter in local and world history was being marked. The IHS contributions were made along side every step of the liberation, from the initial moments of entering and recapturing towns and villages through to resettling citizens back in their homes after a 22 year wait.

The IHS efforts and responsibilities multiplied after liberation when the huge task of extending its health and medical services into the newly liberated South, became the added new priority on its agenda.

What follows are the steps taken as liberation unfolded:

Firstly:

Accompanying the Liberation:

The moment Israeli forces began to withdraw from South Lebanon; the IHS began entering the newly liberated areas.  Medical and nursing teams, mobile clinics, carrying necessary medicines, and equipped ambulance cars moved in as Zionist forces and their agents retreated.

Citizens and the IHS teams first entered Jazzine City and its neighbouring villages, followed by Taybeh village and its vicinity.  Resistance fighters (Mujahiddeen) and community citizens completed the liberation of the remaining villages of Bint Jubail, Tyre, Marj Iyoun and Hasbayya. 

The IHS accompanies the Liberation:

            1-The retreating Israeli army shot and attacked joyful and ecstatic civilians returning to their homes and villages.  The IHS Civil defense cars provided 1^st Aid and transported victims of the attacks to hospitals.

            2-Mobile clinics were dispatched to liberated villages and immediately began on giving health check ups to the sick, then went on to set up fixed permanent dispensaries in some villages like Aramta, Alrayhaan, Altaybeh, Alnakoorah, Markabah, Talloosah, Aynata…

            3-Chronic disease drugs were provided and house calls made, particularly for patients in remote villages like Alkussayr, Adsheet, Halba, Kfar Shooba, Aramtaa...

            4- Handicapped people received Aid equipment like crutches, wheel chairs etc…

            5- Bint Jubail Hospital’s management was given to the IHS.  Because of the hospital’s proximity to the location where martyr Hero Salah Gandour carried out his unprecedented and successful operation against the Zionist occupation forces, the hospital was given his name to become ‘Martyr Salah Gandour Hospital’.

The hospital was re-opened within moments of being liberated and was made accessible to the public for the first time since the beginning of the occupation.
 

Secondly:

Mobile clinics:

After the Israeli withdrawal, the IHS immediately increased its number of mobile clinics to nine, accommodating the needs of approximately 59 Southern Lebanese villages.

Some of these villages: Khyam, Yuhmur, Arnoon, Kfar Shooba, Altaybeh, Adsheet Alkaceer, Alkantarah, Edaysseh, Sujud, Mleekh, Allweizeh, KfarHoulah, Aramta, Kfarkila, Deir Syrian, Alkaceer, Shebaah, Kfar Hamam, Halta, Debben, Ahhebbarieh, Blaat, Ramieh, Ayta Alshaab, Beit Leef, Rub Thlaatheen, Talloossah, Ballee Hayyan, Merkayya, Houla, Yarroun, Kooneen, Maroon Alraace, Aytharoon, Maice Aljabal, Bleeda, Rashaaf, Altayree, Beit Yahoon, Sirbeen, Um Altoot, Yareen, Alnakoorah, Sheeheen, Aljibeen, Tayr Harfa, Shamh, Albayyadah, etc…

Each Mobile Clinic carries essential First Aid and medicines, particularly chronic illness types, accompanied by a team made up of a driver, a doctor and a nurse.

Mobile clinics contributions:

The monetary value of the contributions made by Mobile clinics reached approximately $150,000 in total, not including the vehicular running costs.

Subsequently the number of patients gradually dropped and so the number of mobile clinics was reduced to two as the need required to carry out the running of this program.

Thirdly:

Brief summery of the health situation under occupation:

Two hospitals Bint-Jbail and Marj-Iyoon Public Hospital, and a few clinics provided healthcare mainly for the Zionist occupation force and its collaborator army of “La’hd army”.

Bint Jbail hospital’s duties limited to treating Israeli collaborator army and in some very limited cases, Israeli army personnel injuries. Set up by occupation forces and run by the occupation’s ‘Civil Administration’.

Marj Iyoon Public Hospital was under the occupation army’s control and management, while still being financed by the Lebanese government.

Besides the limited services of these two hospitals, there were some extremely limited clinics in a few villages.

Patients whose treatments were unavailable in the only two hospitals under occupation, experienced tremendous hardship to travel between towns and villages due to the restrictions imposed by the occupation regime.  When their treatments were available in hospitals outside of the occupation zone in the cities of Nabatiah, Tyre, Saida and Beirut.

Even though the health situation has not reached the expected level after occupation, the IHS tried with all its capabilities to make improvements.  Mobile clinics were mobilized, in the liberated villages, as previously mentioned, reducing the state of disease and illness. 

Many fixed permanent dispensaries were opened and temporarily run until the Zionist withdrawal was certain and the situation cleared enabling precise assessment of the areas’ health and medical needs.

The other main project was transferring many patients from villages to South Lebanon hospital in Nabatiah, while restoring Salah Gandour Hospital in Bint Jubail.

The IHS worked non-stop to establish compensatory health programs for communities that long suffered under occupation.

 These efforts resulted in the following provisions:

 1- Medical lectures on diseases like Heart diseases and osteoporosis as well as workshops on quitting smoking.

2- Brochures and leaflets on common illnesses and unhealthy habits of the citizens.

3- Dispensaries already opened in some villages were equipped with medicines and medical necessities.

4- School screenings were run in collaboration with the Ministry of Education averaging approximately 1,766 pupils each year.

5-Kfar Shooba town is still subject to Israeli attacks until today.  Because of the difficulty to transport injuries to the nearest hospital in Marj Iyoon, the IHS added and equipped an Accident and Emergency room to Kfar Shooba Dispensary.

Fourthly:

 Martyr Salah Gandour Hospital:

The Israelis retreated, La’hd collaborators ransacked and stole hospital equipment before evacuating to the news of the imminent victorious advance of Citizens and mujahedeen accompanied by the IHS medical and health teams.

Upon reaching the hospital, the IHS staff quickly secured the hospital amid the chaotic euphoria of liberation and quickly worked on resuming its functions to receive and treat patients and injuries. 

Volunteer doctors and nurses came from all over Lebanon to assist.  The hospital’s capacity was soon restored to receive 250 patients a day, providing free services and medicines. 

Since that day the IHS has consistently worked on upgrading and developing the hospital. 

The Hospital became licensed and is now sub-contracted to the IHS through the Ministry of Public Health with special attention from the Minister of Health H. Suleiman Franjieh.

At the end of 2001 the I.R. of Iran gave the support to further upgrade and expand the hospital’s capacity.  A new building was added and advanced equipment and furnishings were purchased.

The hospital was fully refurbished and officially opened on the second Liberation anniversary and is now made up of the following:

1- Accident and emergency                  

2- Operations                           6- Laboratory  

3- Delivery Suite                       7- X-ray and CT Scan Department

4- Medical & Surgical Ward     8- Pharmacy

5- Outpatients clinics                 9- Echography Department

It is worth mentioning that the hospital is now functioning at almost full occupancy.

Note:

IHS employees in the liberated zone reached:

            180 female and male Doctors

            140 female and male Nurses

            190 Civil Defense staff

            173 staff in miscellaneous tasks