Jun, 2024
Carmah Project helps a small dispensary transform into a primary healthcare center
In the village of Tofahta, in southern Lebanon, a small dispensary opened in 2014 with minimal resources but a strong conviction to serve the community. Despite soaring medication prices and operational costs since 2019, the center persevered.
Mohamad Kawtharani, director of the newly transitioned primary health care center, Tofahta Medical Center, recalls those tough times,
"We didn't have much, but we had determination. Slowly but surely, we began to grow, facing our fair share of challenges along the way."
Although many challenges remain, the center has found an important ally. Anera's Carmah Project has become a valuable partner for the center. Beyond providing chronic medications, the program has bolstered community trust and attracted the attention of other NGOs.
"Their support through the Carmah Project was a game-changer. With their help providing chronic medication, the local community's trust in us grew," Mohamad says.
"Their support through the Carmah Project was a game-changer."
Dana Hamdan, Anera’s health coordinator for southern Lebanon and Nabatieh, emphasizes their commitment to sustainable growth,
"The Carmah Project is committed not only to supplying chronic medications but also to fostering financially sustainable growth and leaving a lasting positive impact beyond project completion. Our goal is to support healthcare centers in capacity-building and communication, particularly those with the potential to transition into primary healthcare centers."
With Anera's assistance, Tofahta Primary Health Care Center received a grant from Action Against Hunger, enabling them to expand operations and upgrade equipment.
Anera also facilitated training sessions on the Ministry of Public Health guidelines for primary healthcare centers. These trainings allowed the Tofahta Medical Center to meet the necessary standards to get enrolled in the Primary Health Care Network, which is the cornerstone of the public healthcare system in Lebanon.
In today's challenging healthcare landscape, the success of Tofahta Medical Center underscores the importance of a robust primary healthcare network.
"Our main goal was to reach more people. Before, we were limited to a dispensary. But now, as a primary healthcare center, we can serve a wider range of patients," Kawtharani says.
As part of the Carmah Project, Anera also supports participating health centers in staff capacity building, standardizing workflows and ensuring timely and accurate data entry in the health information system, which is essential to becoming enrolled in a primary healthcare network. The Carmah Project, through its practical support and collaborative efforts, has not only provided essential medication but also empowered Tofahta Primary Health Care Center to become a cornerstone of healthcare in their community.
“Now, as a primary healthcare center, we can serve a wider range of patients.”
Funding provided by the United States Government.
Lebanon
South Governorate
The South Governorate of Lebanon is a beautiful place with white beaches, archeological ruins, bustling old souks, fertile fields of citrus and banana trees, and a deep history. Its residents are from different religions: Shia and Sunni Muslims, Druze, Eastern Orthodox, Maronite, Protestant, and Greek Catholic Christians. Its biggest cities are also the third and fourth largest in the country, Saida and Tyre.
