Today, and in collaboration with World Vision Akkar, www.worldvision.org.lb, and  Sheikh Zennad's Local Committee, SANA's team travelled the sea-side road to Sheikh Zennad, a village in Akkar’s Valley, right alongside orange groves, and where the mountain tops glistened with snow in the distance…

SANA’s team was able to meet the “Mukhtar” of Sheikh Zennad (the people’s representative) who welcomed us and informed us that there were approximately 100 annual births in Sheikh Zennad, however there is no local clinic or health dispensary in the village.

The team then got very busy transforming the provided room, at one of the village's public meeting sites, into a fully equipped prenatal clinic. Several of the local mothers then gathered in our meeting room with more mothers standing than sitting. An educational session about proper nutrition in pregnancy was carried out followed by an open discussion targeting various issues, questions and concerns voiced by the attendees, relating to women’s and child health and well being.

Some of our patients waited 2 hours to be examined. Though there was no electrical power while we were there, SANA's team was able to provide counseling, blood pressure checks, hemoglobin and glucose screening in addition to obstetrical sonography. Our patients ranged in age between 26 and 36 years, and of the patients seen, 80% were on their fourth or fifth pregnancy, and 60% had had minimal prenatal care. The team identified 2 cases of anemia one of whom was very severe in need of medical attention, one patient with high blood pressure, corrected wrong dates to 2 patients using ultrasound, and provided basic nutritional supplements. In addition, Safa’, a vibrant member of the Sheikh Zennad community, expressed her eagerness to help SANA’s team and to start learning the basics of prenatal care in hopes of being an active participant in the founding of the village’s own health dispensary. Safa’s then shadowed SANA’s team members through each medical service rendered.

After several intense hours, SANA’s team completed its mission and was immediately asked to set the date for the next trip to Sheikh Zennad given the satisfaction felt by the attendees. As such, and with the help World Vision Akkar as well as Sheikh Zennad's Local Committee, plans have been set for a December trip. And back along the orange groves, SANA’s gratified members travelled home…