And as has become customary for the team, a large number of expectant mothers was waiting for SANA for a comprehensive obstetrical evaluation. Today’s mothers spanned the entire gestational period, from those with a newly missed period to those about to deliver, and they graciously waited their turn to be seen, some waiting as long as 4 hours with their toddlers restlessly roaming around…

Ms. Ghinwa, under the direction of SANA’s team, carried out the sonographic evaluations on all mothers who were beyond the first trimester. She truly demonstrated her capabilities and confidence at ascertaining fetal viability, determining the presenting fetal part as well as localizing the placenta and evaluating the amniotic fluid. She carried out the evaluations skillfully despite of major challenges, the most notable of which was a screaming toddler who was on top of her mother throughout the duration of the exam!

Over 60% of the mothers seen today were on their 5^th pregnancy or more. They all had significant nutritional and supplemental needs which were made available courtesy of Mr. Dory Mansour.

And upon the completion of today’s mission, SANA has completed its first year of giving in North Lebanon…This has been a most gratifying year, the success of which is directly dependent on all of our partners and supporters to whom we extend our sincerest appreciation…We now look forward to a promising future and upcoming year, praying for safety for all of our mothers and their families, and dreaming of peace in order to be able to carry on with our mission of giving in our beloved North…

Today marked the third medical mission to Akkar Valley’s Tall Hayat.  SANA’s team travelled alongside magnificent bountiful fields with Earth’s varied spring fruit, to be greeted by the team of World Vision Akkar (www.worldvision.org.lb) together with the representatives of the local NGO جمعية رتاج الحياة الاجتماعية الخيرية, the coordinators for this medical mission, to whom SANA is so very grateful…

Miss Safa’ Alali, our trainee from prior missions, was with SANA again today and she took her first solid steps in performing Obstetrical sonograms, under the guidance of SANA’s team. Safa’ demonstrated her ability at identifying the key requirements that have been stressed to her throughout the previous sessions: localizing the placenta, identifying the presenting fetal part, ascertaining fetal viability, in addition to recognizing key anatomic and biometric structures in the fetus.

What was most noticeable amongst our mothers-to-be today was the wide geographical area from which they came, spanning from the extreme North all the way to the Bekaa Valley. Some were displaced due to various social and political reasons and many were facing unplanned pregnancies with various social and economical struggles. Much time did SANA’s team spend today providing the necessary medical and psychological support that these women were in such a need of…Today’s nutritional supplements were courtesy of Mr. Dory Mansour.

After a rewarding experience on many levels, plans were made for a future visit to the Akkar Valley to provide more care and continue on with the training of Ms. Alali...

The team’s trip back was most memorable accompanying trucks filled with hay, and fields being prepared for harvest and re-plant, symbolizing the Earth’s life cycle and the hopeful birth of spring…

Alongside Nahr Abu-Ali and Tripoli’s Citadel, SANA’s team travelled to the Bakkar district in Quobbe, in Tripoli’s outskirts…Today’s medical mission was carried out in coordination with the “Hayat Health Dispensary”.

The team was greeted by a number of expectant mothers who had several questions pertaining to reproductive health, that were all addressed by SANA’s team…

Subsequently, thorough prenatal evaluation were carried out. What was most striking in tody’s group was that 50% had had a prior cesarean delivery. Of the patients seen, half had had no prenatal care and half had had only 1 prenatal visit prior to today.

And similar to other regions, anemia was the most common problem encountered today, present in all patients seen, where the Hgb ranged between 23-29. Extensive nutritional counseling was carried out. In addition, nutritional supplements were made available courtesy of Levant Alie Houses SAL. SANA made arrangements with the “Hayat Health Dispensary” to carry out in depth workups of this wide-spread significant anemia in the expectant mothers, and followup was arranged for as well. In addition, SANA re-dated half of the pregnancies today based upon sonographic evaluation.

Much appreciation was expressed by the attendees, and SANA’s team travelled back along the road from which the magnificent Citadel could be seen, gratified and in anticipation for a future visit to the Quobbe region…