Our PHCC, a medical resort for the vulnerable !

Project Report | Mar 17, 2025
PHCC Report February 2025

By Youssef Aouli | Health Project Manager

Alzahraa Medical Center (AMC) Overview Location & Governance

Alzahraa Medical Center (AMC) is a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) located between Mankoubin and Jabal Mohsen in Tripoli, Lebanon. It operates under the Alawite Islamic Charity Association (AICA), a charitable, non-political, and non-profit organization founded in 1950 under Notification No. 4500/1950.

Founding & Growth

2008: Established as a dispensary in response to a critical gap in healthcare services.
2011: Partnered with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) to expand healthcare outreach.
2012 – 2017: Established a collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), further enhancing healthcare services.
2016: Transitioned into a full-fledged Primary Health Care Center (PHCC).
2017 – 2023: Strengthened healthcare delivery through partnerships with:
- Relief International (2017)
- YMCA (2008 - Present)
- Première Urgence - Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI) (2019-2023)
April 2024 – Present: Renewed partnership with MSF, focusing on chronic diseases and mental health services.

Recent Projects & Partnerships (2022 Onwards) 3a Salameh Project (2022 - Present)

Partners: UNICEF, MoPH
Focus: Ensuring continuity of essential health services, particularly vaccination campaigns, with infrastructure upgrades, including solar energy for consistent power supply.

REAYA Program (2023 - Present)

Partners: World Bank, MoPH
Objectives:
- Expanding healthcare access for vulnerable Lebanese and displaced Syrians.
- Upgrading infrastructure and enhancing service delivery.
- Training staff to improve medical care quality.

Renewed Partnership with MSF (April 2024 - Present)

Focus: Managing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.
Key Components:
- Free chronic disease check-ups since January 2025.
- Chronic medication renewals at a subsidized cost of 50,000 LBP.
- Mental health services, including psychological treatment, launched in May 2024.

Upcoming World Bank Medical Aid Project (2025 Onwards)

Expected Agreement: A new World Bank project in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to provide medical aid packages for low-income individuals registered under the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA).

Emergency Response & Outreach COVID-19 & Crisis Response

Partnered with CRS to provide emergency services and medical support.

Mobile Clinics & Outreach

A dedicated team of 12 healthcare workers conducting house-to-house visits in Tripoli’s underserved areas.
Medical support extended to displacement shelters in Jabal Mohsen, offering free consultations, hygiene kits, and mobile clinic services.

Services & Patient Impact Patient Volume

Serves an average of 7,000 patients per month across North Lebanon.

Core Medical Services

General and specialist consultations
Maternal and child health services
Free immunization services
Emergency medical response
Chronic medication distribution
Mental health and psychological support (introduced in 2024)

Subsidized Healthcare Services

General consultations: 400,000 LBP
Specialist consultations: 600,000 LBP
Chronic medication renewals: 50,000 LBP (under the MSF program)
Vaccinations & essential medications: Free of charge

Key Achievements (as of February 2025) MSF NCD & Mental Health Program Expansion

50,000 LBP chronic medication renewal fee supports affordability.
Free check-ups for chronic disease patients (starting January 2025).

World Bank Healthcare Package Distribution

Planned new agreement to support low-income families in 2025.

3a Salameh Project

12 healthcare workers deployed for home visits, focusing on child health & immunization.

Expanded Mobile Clinics

Providing medical aid & hygiene kits to displaced populations.

Challenges & Responses 1. High Cost of Medical Services

AMC subsidizes consultation fees & distributes free essential medications to ensure healthcare access.

2. Rising Demand for NCD & Mental Health Services

Partnership with MSF ensures affordable chronic disease care & free mental health services.

3. Medication Access Issues

Immediate distribution of prescribed medications at AMC pharmacy.
Chronic medication support via YMCA & MoPH partnerships.

4. Displacement Crisis

Mobile clinics & free healthcare services offered to displaced individuals & refugee families.

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