Amel’s primary mission during the Lebanese civil war and the first Israeli invasion in 1978, was to provide urgent health care to communities, regardless of their cultural, political, religious, or geographical backgrounds.
According to Dr Mohanna, building a better society, a better world, is dependent on building a healthy human being in body and mind. Thus, after 10 years of field experience and sacrifice in the medical, humanitarian sector, the determined doctor decided to establish Amel, an association with a focus on the right to access primary health care for everyone. As Amel’s health program has grown over the years, it now provides preventive health care, through awareness sessions and health and hygiene information.
6 million health care services have been offered to communities within Lebanon during the 35 past years, throughout Amel centers and medical mobile units. Since the Syrian war erupted in 2011,a huge strain has been put on the Lebanese health sector, while access to adequate services becoming more and more complicated. Since setting up its Syrian crisis response department, Amel has aimed to ensure better access to primary health care for both host and refugee communities.
There are now 13 Amel primary health care centres spread out across Lebanon. These are located in some of the most vulnerable cadasters of the country, and along with Amel’s 6 MMUs, Amel is able to reach even the most isolated individuals, living in ITSs across the country. In most cases, Amel’s services are the only that vulnerable individuals can access or afford. Amel’s health program offers general consultations, specialist consultations, lab tests, free medication and awareness sessions.
Furthermore, Amel is currently working on ensuring enhanced quality within its primary health care centres, as it invests additional efforts in joining a number of the PHCs in the MoPH network.