After the harsh storm that left all surrounding mountains filled with snow, the sun was up bright yet struggling to keep the warmth as SANA’s team head to Tabbaneh for the first medical/educational mission of 2017 with Medecins Sans Frontieres. Accompanying SANA was Esperance El Awad MD, a second year Ob/Gyn resident at the Lebanese University.

 

It was a most intense complicated day as SANA’s team worked to see all the patients who were their 4th-7th months of pregnancy. SANA carried out full evaluations inclusive of obstetrical sonography. All patients were scanned by Esperance under the guidance of SANA’s Reem S. Abu-Rustum. Esperance scanned skillfully and systematically applying the 6-Step Approach. She was able to identify key anatomy and obtain the correct biometric planes. As a result, 33% of the patients seen were redated.

 

There were several fetuses with suspected structural abnormalities noted and follow up was arranged for all of them. MSF’s midwife Zeinab was instrumental in helping ensure all patients have the required medical care.

 

At the end of another rewarding day, the team headed back home ever so proud of Esperance and gratified at the day’s accomplishments…

It was a harsh stormy day as SANA’s team returned to Aabdeh today for the last medical/educational mission of 2016 with Medecins Sans Frontieres. Accompanying SANA was trainee midwife Mirvat Abdallah.

 

Despite the weather, the clinic was packed with patients who were in their 3^rd-8^th months of pregnancy. SANA carried out full evaluations inclusive of obstetrical sonography. All patients were scanned by Mirvat under the guidance of SANA’s Reem S. Abu-Rustum. Mirvat skillfully carried out the 6-Step approach and redated 33% of the patients seen.

 

As usual, there were several high risk patients in need of intensive care and follow up. MSF’s midwife Janine was invaluable in helping make all the necessary arrangements for the patients.

 

At the end of another rewarding day, the team headed back home filled with gratification and filled with hope for the upcoming 2017…

Despite the political unrest in the Dinnieh area the past 2 days, SANA’s team decided to head up for its medical/educational mission as planned to the mountain tops of Dinnieh and specifically to Kfaribnine. Accompanying SANA was trainee midwife Hanane Saleh who has just graduated from the Lebanese University.

 

The drive was majestic on a sunny day after the our first storm this past weekend with glistening mountain tops and lush green everywhere. We arrived to a packed clinic with all the patients waiting outside in the sun. Reem S. Abu-Rustum held an educational session with the patients addressing various issues pertaining to reproductive health. It was a relaxed informative interactive discussion with various questions and concerns answered for the patients.

 

Following the session, SANA’s team carried out full assessments on the patients inclusive of sonographic evaluation. Midwife Hanane skillfully scanned the patients under the guidance of SANA’s Reem S. Abu-Rustum. She displayed comfort and confidence in carrying out 6-step approach. She also was able to obtain all required biometric measurements in the proper planes.

 

Today’s patients ranged in age between 19 to 34 years. Most were in the 2nd to 9th month of pregnancy, 8% were  on their first pregnancy, 50% were on pregnancy 4 or more and 58% had had no prenatal care or a maximum of 1 prenatal visit thus far. SANA redated 42% of the patients seen.

 

SANA wishes to thank Mr. Dory Mansour and Levant Alie Houses SAL for providing all nutritional supplements today.

 

And at the end of another rewarding day, SANA made plans for the next visit to Kfaribnine and the team headed back home and travelled amidst farmers with freshly picked peaches from whom SANA purchased its fair share and carried them back home…