As nature welcomes Fall with all its promise of bounty and all the beauty of its turning leaves, SANA carried out its second of several planned training sessions at the Governmental Hospital of Seer Al Dinnieh. Today’s session training served as a continuation of what was commenced 4 weeks ago where the primary focus was intrapartum obstetrical care, in all its aspects.

There were 10 midwives and obstetrical nurses participating in the intense training session. The session focused primarily on intrapartum care and the obstetrical emergencies that may be encountered throughout the three trimesters. Much time was spent covering the often-confusing topic of fetal monitoring in terms of terminology, pattern-recognition and management. In addition, practical tips on handling various intrapartum emergencies from shoulder dystocia, to cord prolapse to various others, were discussed at length.

Much time was dedicated to discussing postpartum hemorrhage especially in terms of management, and the attendees were brought up-to-date on some of the newest modalities available to manage this worst of every deliverer’s nightmare, and the biggest threat to maternal life. Detailed handouts were distributed by SANA to all the attendees covering all the details.

The atmosphere was most relaxed in which much information was exchanged over the course of 4 packed hours. In addition, several concerns were raised by the attendees, pertaining to clinical problems they had encountered in their practice.  Discussions ensued as to the various management options.

Again, the success of this training session is as a result of the outstanding organizational skills of Dr. Omar Fatfat, the medical director of the Governmental Hospital at Seer Al Dinnieh, and Mrs. Lulu Yaghi, the midwife in charge of labor and delivery.

And as this first “didactic” phase of SANA’s training at the Governmental Hospital of Seer Al Dinnieh ended, all involved are looking forward to commencing the second phase, which shall involve much hands-on training in obstetrical ultrasound…

SANA’s team headed back again to Tal Hayat today, 6 weeks to the day since the last trip, to the heart of the Akkar Valley. The medical mission was a most successful one, perfectly organized by SANA’s partners, the amazing team of World Vision Akkar (www.worldvision.org.lb).

A packed house is what awaited SANA, and patients and their children patiently waited their turn to be seen, some waiting as long as 4 hours, with a continuous flow of patients registering their names throughout the day.

What was most striking today was the number of patients seen who had not had any prenatal care thus far in the pregnancy, due to the political instability and accruing financial burdens. Approximately a third of the patients had had absolutely no prenatal care, and another 26% had had only one visit. Of note is that most of these patients were well into the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

The team today faced several challenges, the most notable of which was a direct result of the perpetual  chaos and devastating consequences of war, that go beyond safety and displacement, to finding the means for medical and birthing care. One of the patients seen was a refugee in her late 8^th month of pregnancy. She had had a cesarean birth in her last pregnancy and was facing serious obstacles in arranging for her delivery now. With the dedication and connections of the World Vision Team, arrangements for her continued care and follow up were undertaken, in the hopes of ensuring the safety of both mother and child.

And again, anemia was the major medical problem faced, where 75% of the patients tested were found to be affected and supplementation was provided for them. All nutritional supplements today were made courtesy of Levant Alie Houses SAL.

SANA’s team had a new volunteer today and the team members were busy taking care of the huge load of patients, as well as training the new volunteer, nurse Zeina Chaaban.

And after a most rewarding mission, the team headed back home, with many plans for the further expansion of SANA’s involvement in the Akkar region, in collaboration with World Vision Akkar.