Beirut Arab University Student Access to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing

THE Impact Rankings indicator 3.3.4 | Beirut Arab University, Lebanon

Recent evidence from 2021 to 2026, current service records and institutional access arrangements.

Response to the indicator

Yes. Beirut Arab University (BAU) provides students with access to sexual and reproductive healthcare through its university healthcare services and specialist clinics, together with information and education activities. BAU Healthcare Center (BAUHC) serves students and offers obstetrics and gynaecology. Its published service specification includes Pap smear testing, intrauterine device insertion and ultrasound for pelvic organs and pregnancy. The current appointment schedule also lists urology clinics.

Evidence: BAUHC student access and medical specialties (BAU Healthcare Center section)

Evidence: BAUHC published clinical services

BAU complements clinical access with targeted sexual and reproductive health sessions, maternal health education, student representation in reproductive health committees and formal teaching in relevant programmes. Published student studies provide additional evidence of the university’s attention to sexual health knowledge and menstrual wellbeing. Clinical access is documented, but the available fee information does not establish that all sexual and reproductive healthcare is free for every student.

HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY BASED LEARNING

An important aspect of the medical program is the Hospital Clinical Training. The BAUFM has academic affiliation with several hospitals, where undergraduate and postgraduates medical students receive their training.

Makassed General Hospital is a 200 patient-bed, which is located in a heavily populated area of Beirut. It is among the top medical facilities in Lebanon and is supported by more than 200 attending and resident physicians and 640 technical and administrative staff. It serves nearly 100,000 in-patients and in excess of 50,000 outpatient visits per year.

Dar al Ajazza al Islamia Hospital, was established in 1952, and has an immense capacity of medical services. The hospital still has a lack of place to meet the great demand which is exposed to. An important part of the training of BAU_FM medical students is to visit and have exposure to patients at Dar Al-Ajaza Al-Islamia Hospital, which is a charitable human institution that offers medical aid.

Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH)is a public independent establishment that offers medical services to Lebanese citizens in Beirut and all other regions, by ensuring care and hospitalization services in an academic frame, and by offering an excellent quality of treatment and health follow-up. Rafik Hariri University Hospital is committed to offer excellent medical care, in accordance with international standards to Lebanese citizens and to foreigners, at affordable prices. Rafik Hariri University Hospital includes 430 beds and 14 operating rooms. It delivers a full range of primary and highly specialized care provided by professional and dedicated staff. The hospital offers academic training to young doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dietitians through affiliations with several universities. It deals with ministry of public health, social security national fund, private insurance companies and all other competent authorities that care in the Lebanese society health and offer medical services to it.Rafik Hariri University Hospital is served by a fully automated medical information system and electronic patient health record. Moreover, it provides remote medical services (telemedicine).

BAU Healthcare Center (BAUHC) intends to be a distinguished university healthcare center in the fields of health care, education, and research. BAUHC is the right place where a team of competent and empathetic physicians, nurses, and health care providers treat patients with respect and compassion. It aims at developing an environment of comprehensive care that responds to the ambulatory health needs of Beirut Arab University (BAU) community and Lebanese community in general. September 6th, 2018 marked the launching of BAUHC where it started serving BAU students, staff and employees, as well as community members from outside BAU, with a commitment to improve the health of the community by providing quality and affordable healthcare services and wellness programs that meet people needs and ensure patient satisfaction in a distinctive environment for education and research. The center offers a wide range of medical specialties including family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, endocrinology, neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, psychiatry, dermatology, and pulmonary medicine.

Ebad El Rahman Healthcare Center (ERHC) is a primary healthcare center that provides different ambulatory medical services at low or no cost. It provides medical care to patients in need without discrimination. Medications as well and some basic diagnostic procedures are offered for free. The load of patients in ERHC provides an excellent opportunity for BAUFM medical students to get exposed to ambulatory cases, primarily acute cases.

Ajyaluna Healthcare Center (AHC) This healthcare center emerged from Ajyaluna organization, which is a non-profit organization engaged in charitable, cultural, social, healthcare, educational programs. It provides good exposure to chronic cases for medical students.

AHC serves around 12,000 patients each year, providing ambulatory medical services at no cost. Specialty services include family medicine, geriatrics, endocrinology, pediatrics, dentistry, ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT), cardiovascular, dermatology, pulmonary medicine, gynecology/ obstetrics, orthopedics, physiotherapy, dietetics, and social counseling. Each year, especially children and patients who require several medical examinations and follow-up, in addition to the elderly.

Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation (HKCC) is a Primary healthcare center located in Bourj Hammoud – Lebanon since 1941. It is recognized as an NGO and is part of the Lebanese national primary healthcare network that operates in collaboration and partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

HKCC receives an average of 3500 patients per month to seven different departments seeking physicians’ consultations, vaccination, nutritional counseling and other medical services.

BAUFM medical students started rotating at HKCC from the beginning of the academic year 2019-2020, to increase the ambulatory exposure, as well as the spectrum of exposure to various conditions.

Services

BAUHC provides compassionate health care services for you and for each member of your family in one place. Available services are:

• Dentistry: Dental Care is available through Oral Diagnosis Clinic at BAU Faculty of Dentistry in the main building in Beirut campus.

• Immunization: BAUHC believes that immunization is one of the most cost-effective health investments and proven means for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases. In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), BAUHC administers free of charge vaccines as per the National Immunization Calendar established by the MoPH.

• Dietary and Physiotherapy services: Dietary and Physiotherapy services are available through Faculty of Health Sciences located in Hariri building third floor in Beirut campus.

• Laboratory and Radiology Services: BAUHC Laboratory and Radiology diagnostic centers are under development. For the time being, patients are free to do the requested studies at their preference.

• Electrocardiography(ECG): Electrocardiography (ECG) is a quick, simple, painless procedure that provides information about the heart electrical activity. Recorded ECGs helps the physician in evaluating the heart condition and develop appropriate intervention.

• Ultrasound imaging: Ultrasound imaging helps the physician to evaluate, diagnose, and treat medical conditions. Ultrasound imaging is generally considered a safe technique to visualize tissues and organs inside the body and record the movement of internal organs and blood flow through blood vessels. Examples of available ultrasound imaging procedures at BAUHC are ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis organs, breast, thyroid, and heart as well as for the pregnant woman and her fetus.

• Diagnostic Physiology Procedures: Available diagnostic studies available at BAUHC are stated above under the Diagnostic Physiology Center.

• Treatments and minor procedures: BAUHC provides treatments such as vitals checks, glucose level, injections, IV hydration, wound dressing, nebulization of medication, papsmear test. Available minor procedures are IUD insertion, ear wash, removal of foreign body from external eye, ENT scope examination, and minor surgery (such as removal of cyst, excision of nail and nail matrix, and incision and drainage of abscess, hematoma, seroma, or fluid collection).

• Pharmacy Assistance: BAUHC is developing a program to support the community members who cannot afford to buy their medications. The pharmacy room at BAUHC will provide a list of medications that will be delivered free of charge.

Student access to clinical care

1 University healthcare services for students

BAU’s campus healthcare page identifies students as beneficiaries of medical examinations, consultations, medical records, vaccination and primary care medications. The service operates on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm. The Health and Wellness page describes medical care at Beirut Campus as available to students at reduced prices and identifies medical services at Debbieh and Tripoli. These records establish a university-provided route to healthcare; the specialist reproductive care evidence below is specifically documented at Beirut Campus.

Evidence: Beirut Campus healthcare for students

Evidence: Student healthcare across BAU campuses

Beirut Campus Healthcare

Medical Care

BAU’s primary care clinic in Beirut Campus started receiving its first patients in 2001 (after the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine in 1995). Ever since then, the clinics at BAU have provided high quality healthcare services for students and employees.

Patient Services

These clinics provide physical examination and medical consultation for BAU’s students and employees. They also provide medical screening for new students before being admitted to any of the Medical faculties. Clinics help create a medical record for students. They also provide vaccination services and primary care medications.

Contact

Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday to Friday (except on official and University holidays)

Dental Care

Under the supervision of qualified academic staff members and clinical assistants, our students successfully treat thousands of patients every year in our dental clinics.

Patient Services

We are a full service facility that provides fillings, tooth bleaching, veneers, crowns, bridges, root canals, children's dentistry services, braces, implants, dentures, treatment of gum disease, extractions of wisdom teeth and more. We provide quality dentistry at low cost.

Note: Some programs have a long waiting list, particularly for braces and implants.

Contact

+961 1 300 110 Ext: 2523 - 2730 – 2530

Location: See Map

Working Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday to Friday (except on official and University holidays)

Clinics

There are 78 dental units distributed throughout the Faculty of Dentistry. Each clinic has its own patient reception and waiting area. An electronic filing (E-files) system is used for patients’ records and students’ requirements. A digital X-ray room and sterilization units are also available for each clinic.

Patient Education

Educate yourself! Know more about how to properly take care of your teeth and handle common teeth complaints through reading our Patient Education Brochure.

Community Services

We offer full dental services to orphanages and nursing homes at specially reduced prices. Our students also often visit Lebanese schools for oral health education and check-ups.

Health & Wellness

2 Scheduled obstetrics gynaecology and urology clinics

BAUHC publishes named specialists and regular clinic sessions. The schedule lists obstetrics and gynaecology with Dr Aya Chaaban, Dr Lara Nahouli and Dr Salah Malas, and urology with Dr Bilal Itani and Dr Samer Makarem. These establish operational appointment arrangements for relevant clinical services. Clinic schedules can change, so the published appointment contact provides the route for confirming availability.

Evidence: BAUHC physicians and appointment schedule

Physicians Schedule

Evidence: BAUHC location and booking contacts

3 Reproductive care procedures in the service specification

The university’s published BAUHC service list explicitly identifies Pap smear testing, IUD insertion and ultrasound of pelvic organs and of a pregnant woman and her fetus. This provides concrete evidence of gynaecological screening, a contraceptive procedure and pregnancy-related assessment within the centre’s advertised services. The listing is undated and does not give student-specific prices or utilisation totals for these procedures. It supports the range of provision, alongside the current specialist appointment schedule and documented student eligibility.

Evidence: BAUHC treatments minor procedures and ultrasound services

4 Primary care development and professional expertise

The ICARE Clinic and Advanced Primary Care Innovation Center at BAUHC have been fully operational since April 2023. The Ministry of Public Health licensed centre combines consultations with teaching and training. Its development team includes an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, and its activity record includes an antenatal care presentation for interns. Its published mission refers to accessible care with symbolic charges. These records support the institutional organisation and professional capacity underlying healthcare delivery.

Evidence: Advanced Primary Care Innovation Center at BAUHC

Advanced Primary Care Innovation Center BAUHC

The official profile of Dr Salah Malas, who is also listed in the BAUHC clinic schedule, describes expertise in pregnancy counselling, screening and prevention, infertility and menopause. It also documents teaching in obstetrics and gynaecology and women’s health. This connects a named clinic provider to clinical expertise and student education.

Evidence: Obstetrics and gynaecology faculty expertise

5 Recorded student use of the university health service

The 2021 report records 533 students receiving BAUHC services through the University Health Services programme during September 2020 to August 2021. This documents use of the student healthcare route; it is an aggregate healthcare figure, not a reproductive care patient count.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021 (printed page 75; PDF page 38)

The following annual report records 744 BAU students enrolled in University Health Services among BAUHC’s beneficiaries in 2021–2022. This further supports actual student access to the centre, without assigning the total to a particular specialty.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021–2022 (printed page 63; PDF page 32)

Sexual and reproductive health information and education

6 Targeted sexual and reproductive health sessions

BAU’s 2021 annual report documents online education organised by its sexual and reproductive health committee. One session addressed sexually transmitted infections in women, including prevention, management and HIV self-care kits as an educational topic. Other sessions covered sexual dysfunction and the relationship between varicocele and infertility, with treatment considerations and psychological aspects. A rape prevention session was delivered on 15 April 2021. These university-recorded activities provide direct evidence of student information and education on sexual health, fertility and sexual violence prevention.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021 sexual and reproductive health sessions (printed page 25; PDF page 13)

7 Pregnancy planning and maternal health education

On 24 March 2022, BAUHC and the Faculty of Medicine collaborated with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) on Your Way to Motherhood at the faculty’s simulation centre. The workshop addressed pregnancy planning and maternal health for pregnant women at BAU and those planning pregnancy. The report does not separate student and staff attendance.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021–2022 maternal health workshop (printed page 63; PDF page 32)

BAUHC also joined an IOCC programme with UNICEF that provided nutrition and breastfeeding guidance to pregnant and lactating women attending obstetric and paediatric services. Eight visits between November 2021 and May 2022 reached 63 beneficiaries. This documents repeated patient education; the beneficiaries are not identified exclusively as students.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021–2022 maternal nutrition programme (printed page 63; PDF page 32)

8 Student participation in reproductive health leadership

BAU’s 2021–2022 report identifies Ibtisam Al Jamal as Local Officer and Alaa Rifaii as Assistant Local Officer on Sexual Rights and Reproductive Health Including HIV and AIDS within LeMSIC. These appointments document a student organisational route for engagement in this field.

Evidence: BAU Annual Report 2021–2022 student committee appointments (printed page 80; PDF page 41)

9 Family planning and reproductive health courses

The university’s published MSc Nursing programme lists NURS636 Family Planning and NURS637 Reproductive Health as three-credit major elective courses. The same list includes women’s psychology and related maternal health subjects. These provide identifiable academic education opportunities for students enrolled in the relevant programme. They support the information and education dimension of the indicator through programme-specific teaching, alongside the university’s clinical services.

Evidence: MSc Nursing course list

Health-Sciences - Master-of-Science-in-Nursing-Medical-Surgical-Nursing-Speciality

10 Undergraduate education in obstetric and gynaecological health

The published Tripoli Health Sciences Nursing curriculum includes NURS405 Obstetric and Gynecological Health Nursing Theory and NURS407 Practice, each a two-credit major core course. Their descriptions cover antenatal care, labour, delivery, postnatal care and gynaecological health problems, with opportunities to apply clinical skills. This is direct evidence of structured reproductive health education for nursing students and extends the educational evidence beyond Beirut Campus.

Evidence: Tripoli Nursing curriculum and course descriptions

11 Student awareness of breast health

On 13 October 2025, Health Sciences students attended breast cancer talks covering risk factors, prevention and early detection and operated interactive awareness booths on Beirut Campus. Students also joined a community awareness event on 18 October. The university published the record on 23 January 2026. These activities provide related women’s health information for students, complementing the direct sexual and reproductive health education above.

Evidence: Health Sciences student talks and awareness booths

Pinky Promise Event at the Forum de Beyrouth

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

https://www.facebook.com/BeirutArabUniversity/posts/pfbid02a9bepkMQJFpJSQmUy13kZuCYFuFLXSvmGa73W1nqSZmiJX4b1uptB5zMfNLuHgfWl

Women and Health

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Research/Women-and-Health

Every year around 8 million young children die of preventable causes, and more than 350,000 women die from preventable complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These unacceptable deaths can and must be avoided by ensuring that all women and children get the prevention, treatment and care they need. They must have access to family planning, vaccines, and proper nutrition, as well as prevention of and treatment for pneumonia, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases.

Our aim at the Faculty of medicine at Beirut Arab University is to conduct a Research-integrated hospitals and community work that will help to optimize maternal and infant health outcomes and to develop early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce the risk for lifelong chronic disease. Some of the ongoing research projects at our Faculty include autism awareness in the Lebanese community, Awareness of the Lebanese pediatricians, family physicians and obstetricians about initiation and maintenance of breast feeding, Awareness of Lebanese Med students towards abortion, Prenatal and post-partum complications, Awareness of long-term contraception among the Lebanese population and many other ongoing researches.

Finally, we think that women and children are considered the most vulnerable components in the society beside the men who complete it. It is true that women are the real architects of the society and the children are the real engines of life. In order to keep this integrity, we believe that research is integral to excellence in healthcare.

“I call on everyone to play their part. Success will come when we focus our attention and resources on people, not their illnesses; on health, not disease. With the right policies, adequate and fairly distributed funding, and a relentless resolve to deliver to those who need it most – we can and will make a life-changing difference for current and future generations.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Global Strategy for Women's and Children's health, September 2010.

Mammogram Images Segmentation for Breast Cancer Detection

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Science/Event/Mammogram-Images-Segmentation-for-Breast-Cancer-Detection

To strengthen the relationship between the Faculty of Science and the community, a talk entitled “Mammogram Images Segmentation for Breast Cancer Detection” by Ali Zaart, Associate Professor of Computer Science, was held on December 17, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Faculty of Science, Debbieh Site. The attendees were from people from the medical society,  BAU students & Faculty Members and some other specialists in computer science.
Abstract of the talk:
Breast cancer is among the leading causes of death in women worldwide. Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine the early detection of breast diseases in women. Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) systems use a digitilized mammographic image to search for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer. The main step in CAD system is the mammogram images segmentation. The objective of the talk is to present a mammogram images segmentation technique based on statistical distribution for breast cancer detection.

Early Detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer at BAU

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/Event/Early-Detection-of-Breast-and-Cervical-Cancer-at-BAU

In support of the campaign by the Lebanese Ministry of Health on the importance of the early detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer, and under the patronage of Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of BAU, the Faculty of Medicine organized a campaign for the early detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer.

The campaign included a seminar on raising the health awareness in addition to a number of workshops to educate women on how to conduct a self-examination of their breasts and a detailed explanation on how to proceed in the case of the discovery of the disease. It also included a brief survey of Cervical Cancer, and the importance of conducting a screening of the cervix.

The one-week campaign was held on both Beirut and Debbieh Campuses, and visited various Lebanese areas and municipalities, including Khiam Municipality, the Italian School in Tripoli, and Al Bashaer School in Baalbeck, with the participation of medical students of various levels, led by Prof. Naglaa Mashaal, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and under the supervision of Dr. Bilal Azakir.

This campaign is part of a series of societal initiatives organized by the Faculty of Medicine at Beirut Arab University to serve the community.

Road to Maternity

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/News/Road-to-Maternity

Since March is the month that Lebanon celebrates Mother's Day, BAU through the Faculty of Medicine and International Orthodox Christian Charities IOCC organized a special lecture to all females in the University, titled :Road to Maternity". The Lecture focused on the important steps that a woman should know before planning to maternity. It showed major focus on the importance of folic acid prior and through pregnancy. It discussed the importance of the pregnancy plate. Nevertheless, lactation and contraception were discussed. The discussion was fruitful and based on group discussions. At the end of the discussion, IOCC distributed educational flyers to the audiance.

Awareness about breast cancer entitled: "Weigh your risk factors for a rosy life"

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Pharmacy/Event/Awareness-about-breast-cancer-entitled-Weigh-your-risk-factors-for-a-rosy-life-

The Faculty of Pharmacy, at Beirut Arab University, participated in the national campaign, organized by Ministry of Public Health, to raise awareness about breast cancer entitled: "Weigh your risk factors for a rosy life". The national campaign coincided with the World Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Faculty was represented by a group of Pharm D and senior students under the supervision of Dr. Souraya Domiati, Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. During the exhibition (October 12-14, 2018), more than 500 visitors passed by the Faculty booth, where students provided information on breast cancer, related risk factors and ways of prevention.

Former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Ghassan Hasbani visited the site. They praised the efforts exerted during the preparation and interaction with the exhibition visitors. The three days were culminated in an appreciation trophy received by the Faculty for the first place among the projects presented.

Participation of the MLT department in the national breast cancer awareness campaign

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/News/Participation-of-the-MLT-department-in-the-national-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign

A team of six students from the MLT department-BAU and under the supervision of the assistant professor, Dr.Salim MOUSSA, had been selected by the MOPH in order to participate in a national competition for the breast cancer awareness campaign 2018. The MLT topic was “Mammogram: the selfie that saves your life”. During three days from 12 till 14 October, the MLT students were taking the hand of each woman and showing her the importance of breast cancer early detection via mammography in order to save her life. The MLT booth was highly attractive and competitive; more than 600 visitors had stopped at the booth to learn more about mammography, share their experiences with breast cancer and take memorable pictures with the team. The minister of public health, Mr.Ghassan Hassbani, the former prime minister, Mr.Fouad Siniora, Professor of Hematology-Oncology at the American University of Beirut, Pr.Nagi El Saghir, and the famous Lebanese TV personality, Mrs.Mona Abu Hamze were among the visitors of the MLT booth. Moreover, a special interview with Future TV was taken with Dr.Salim MOUSSA. At the end of the event, a special letter of thanks from the MOPH was sent to the MLT-BAU to express their highly appreciation of the remarkable job made by the team. Certificates of participation were delivered to the students.

Breast cancer campaign organized by Pharm D students

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Pharmacy/Event/Breast-cancer-campaign-organized-by-Pharm-D-students

The Pharm D team at Labib Medical center has participated in the Breast cancer campaign organized by the hospital. During the event, the students have interviewed the patients in order to assess their risk.

International Women's day

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/International-Women's-day

International Women's Day (IWD) is a worldwide campaign celebrated on the 8th of March that has a goal to advocate women's rights and to make people more aware about female health. The Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee’s (LeMSIC), Standing Committee on Sexual & Reproductive Health Including HIV/AIDS (SCORA), being part of the Medical Faculty in Beirut Arab University, celebrated IWD on March 20 2017. This IWD was celebrated in our university at a later date than the International women’s known day in order to make a point that IWD shouldn't be celebrated on just one specific day but rather it is an event that should be celebrated everyday as women should be respected, and appreciated on every day of the year. We had stands with different information being available about various topics such as social, health, body image perception, and information was stressed on the importance on self-breast examination, & frequent clinical checkup. We were also joined by KAFA NGO, who introduced itself, and talked about its agenda to pass laws in Lebanon in favor of women's rights. Self-defense class was also available in the campaign to teach women how to protect themselves in case they were to get assaulted. This can save their lives in critical situations. They were tested through smart, fun, witty games to see that they have learnt those essential defense moves. At the end, those who passed those tests, they got a sweet treat, and a chance to win gift vouchers.

The second part of the campaign was a conference that was held in Ali Rashed auditorium. We were honored to have Dr. Issam Shaarani, Dr. Salah Malas, Ms.Joumana Hadad, Ms.Hala Hamoud, & Ms.Sabine Fakhoury as speakers in the conference. The women shared with us their personal experience in their respected occupation. They also talked about the obstacles they had to overcome, and the sacrifices they had to do in order to reach their current achievements today. Our two Doctors talked more in depth about women's health and what kind of frequent cases they encounter in Lebanon. At the end of the conference, we honored each speaker with a comer bel armor from Beirut Arab University & Lebanese Medical Students' International Committee.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

https://twitter.com/BeirutArabUni/status/1708716408345887222

Early Detection Saves Lives

https://twitter.com/BeirutArabUni/status/1576856012736561152

Are You OK? Breast Cancer Awareness

https://twitter.com/BeirutArabUni/status/1447862465811918849

Underage marriage: Problems and Effects at Beirut Arab University

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/Underage-marriage-Problems-and-Effects-at-Beirut-Arab-University

The Faculty of Law and Political Science at Beirut Arab University organized a seminar on “The Marriage of Underage Girls: Problems and Effects”. The Faculty Dean, Prof. Mohammad Kassem, moderated the seminar. The President of the Supreme Sunni Sharia Court, Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Assaf, Head of the Coptic Community in Lebanon and Syria, Monk Reverend Andrawes Al-Antony, President of the Jaafari Courts Sheikh Mohammad Kanaan, President of the Druze Supreme Court of Appeal Sheikh Faisal Naser Eddine, Professor at the Faculty of Canon Law at Sagesse University Dr. Abdo Younes, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at BAU Sheikh Dr. Wafic Hijazi.

The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic representative, Sheikh Dr. Hassan Merheb, Sheikh Al Aql of the Druze monotheistic faith representative, His Eminence Sheikh Sami Abdel Khalek, Patriarch Bechara Al Rai representative, His Eminence Father Abdo Abou Kasem, President of the National Commission For Lebanese Women Mrs. Claudine Aoun Roukoz, President of the Lebanese Community in Tanzania, Mr. Ali Shoumar, deans of faculties, the Secretary General at BAU, Dr. Omar Houry and a crowd of jurists, students and interested people attended the seminar.

After the Lebanese national anthem and the university anthem, the Faculty Dean prof. Mohammad Kassem said “Beirut Arab University gathers and does not separate. For this reason, it was established and will continue and since the topic of the seminar is important and dangerous, some supported and some avoided it, but the right and wisdom require that we meet on what we disagree. The only thing we want is to reform and serve the community since the personal status system in the Arab countries is derived from religion, and we know that the potential for disagreement is great, but we must reach a unified opinion”.

Then Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Assaf said, “The Islamic religion is a religion that is valid for every time and place. It takes care of all the people’s interests. Jurists took diligence in matters in which there was no explicit text from the Quran or the Sunnah, where they permitted the permissibility for the better interest. For this reason, marriage of underage girls is one of these jurisprudence that does not contradict the Quran but is an imperative, necessary and for the interest of the minor in terms of her psychological, physical, social and human condition”.

Assaf continued, "The age of marriage for minors is determined by sects according to jurists and their jurisprudence on which they are based and any determination from outside the personal status system for the concerned sects is considered as violation to the Lebanese Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of the United Nations”.

Dr. Abdo Younes indicated in his speech that “the Lebanese state has committed itself, under Article 9 of the constitution, to ensure that parents, regardless of their religious denominations, respect the personal status system and religious interests. Moreover, based on this last commitment, the state has left personal status issues, including marriage on Lebanese territories in the custody of sectarian legislation. That is why the exclusively applicable marriage system is the sectarian one and there is no civil system due to the absence of relevant texts”.

Sheikh Mohammad Kanaan also emphasized that , “The Lebanese people have absolute freedom in what the law permits them to say or do. Therefore, they were able, through their religious and sectarian diversity, to create the creative formula that makes coexistence. Hence, the Lebanese legislator considered that sects in Lebanon do not go beyond being civil and cultural, all of which contribute at the national level and preserve for itself ideological privacy and the consequent personal peculiarities”.

Sheikh Faisal Nasser Eddine spoke, “The personal status law of the Druze monotheistic faith sect may allow the suitor to marry when he has completed eighteen of age and the girl who has completed seventeen years. The law permits the Sheikh Al-Aql or the Sect’s judge to authorize the marriage of a young man who has completed sixteen years of age and a girl who has completed her fifteen years if medically proven that their condition permits that”.

Then Monk Reverend Andrawes Al-Anthony said, “The Coptic Orthodox Church rejects completely the marriage of underage girls because the rites of marriage in the Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, as it is a sacred bond that unites the man and the woman. The Christian Church throughout its history obligated the man to marry one woman for life, and that each spouse being faithful to the sacred marital vows”. “Based on the words of the Lord Jesus the Christ, for this reason a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two become one body, for what God has combined together, no man can separate.”

Sheikh Dr. Wafic Hijazi was surprised: “Whoever calls for prohibiting marriage under the age of eighteen years encourages or at least does not object to establish a relationship outside its scope. The issue of marriage in Islam is a matter of philosophy that is not instinctive, but carries in its contents respect for the humanity of the human being and his honor without being a commodity in the online market and pornography in the name of human rights”.

The seminar was concluded with questions and discussions between the attendees and the lecturers.

ASCE Chapter at BAU organized a lecture about Breast Cancer

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Public-Relations/News/ASCE-Chapter-at-BAU-organized-a-lecture-about-Breast-Cancer

For the occasion of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is held in October yearly, and in order to support this common cause, the ASCE Chapter at Beirut Arab University organized a lecture for Mr. Hani Nassar representing the Barbara Nassar Association, Ms. Michelle Nabhane, a Cancer Patient Survivor, and Dr. Maroun Sadek, Oncologist.

The lecture shed the light on spreading awareness and sharing all the necessary instructions to stop Breast Cancer.

Mr. Nassar elaborated how his association was founded explaining how their primary mission is to support adult cancer patients, morally and financially.

Ms. Nabhane shared her survival inspirational story on how she struggled throughout her treatments but decided to keep on fighting not just for herself but also for her family, friends and beloved ones.

Dr. Sadek lectured about cancer diagnosis and its stages, treatment protocols and methods of medical examinations.

Certified breast feeding specialist

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/News/Certified-breast-feeding-specialist

Dr Leila Itani was awarded the title,” Certified Breast Feeding Specialist” as of February 2 2020. The certification is accredited by Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC). This status entitles Dr. Itani to provide advice to mothers with infants 0-23 months of age related to 1) Benefits and importance of breast feeding to the mother and infant 2) Prepartum education for preparation for breastfeeding 2) Early initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding 3) Signs of effective breastfeeding 4) Assessment and management of breast feeding difficulties related to mother and infant ( decreased milk supply, refusal of breast, milk allergy, breastfeeding twins, tandum feeding etc..) 5) Maintenance of breastfeeding along with complementary feeding until 2 years and beyond.

MLT students attending the MOPH Breast cancer campaign

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/Event/MLT-students-attending-the-MOPH-Breast-cancer-campaign-2019

Dr. Salim Moussa and MLT students attended the launching of breast cancer campaign organized by the Ministry of Public Health, Wednesday 9 October 2019. This year, the ministry emphasized the importance of regular screening through mammography for early detection, as the prevention is not yet possible.

Participation of the MLT department in the national breast cancer awareness campaign

A team of six students from the MLT department-BAU and under the supervision of the assistant professor, Dr.Salim MOUSSA, had been selected by the MOPH in order to participate in a national competition for the breast cancer awareness campaign 2018. The MLT topic was “Mammogram: the selfie that saves your life”. During three days from 12 till 14 October, the MLT students were taking the hand of each woman and showing her the importance of breast cancer early detection via mammography in order to save her life. The MLT booth was highly attractive and competitive; more than 600 visitors had stopped at the booth to learn more about mammography, share their experiences with breast cancer and take memorable pictures with the team. The minister of public health, Mr.Ghassan Hassbani, the former prime minister, Mr.Fouad Siniora, Professor of Hematology-Oncology at the American University of Beirut, Pr.Nagi El Saghir, and the famous Lebanese TV personality, Mrs.Mona Abu Hamze were among the visitors of the MLT booth. Moreover, a special interview with Future TV was taken with Dr.Salim MOUSSA. At the end of the event, a special letter of thanks from the MOPH was sent to the MLT-BAU to express their highly appreciation of the remarkable job made by the team. Certificates of participation were delivered to the students.

“Wear It Pink”

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Health-Sciences/Event/%E2%80%9CWear-It-Pink%E2%80%9D

Mr. Mohammad Itani and First Year Nursing Students organized an awareness campaign titled “Wear It Pink” in celebration of the Brest Cancer Awareness Month on 19 October 2017 where they decorated the faculty with pink helium balloons and written messages of awareness. Students also distributed pink ribbons to BAU students, staff, and faculty in solidarity with Brest Cancer patients. Dr. Ahmad Al Tassi delivered a lecture on Brest Cancer titled “Breast Cancer from A TO Z” delivering deliberate content and information about the latest advances on breast cancer on Friday 20th of October 2017, where students from the faculty of health sciences attended.

Let’s Talk

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Human-Sciences/Event/Lets-Talk

With the participation of the Mass Communication Department students, and the attendance of Dr. Gamal Megahed, the Faculty of Arts hosted an interactive play “Let’s Talk” at the Media Center. The play aims at promoting awareness among the youth of the HIV/AIDS and related issues, as well as means to guard against it and how to deal with people affected by the disease. The play, entitled “Khallik Salbe”, is produced by the Visual and Performative Arts Society, in collaboration with UNFPA. At the end of the play, a discussion was held with the students, and brochures were distributed to highlight the dangers of the disease.

The National Awareness Campaign on HIV-AIDS

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/The-National-Awareness-Campaign-on-HIV-AIDS

Beirut Arab University medical students contributed to the National Awareness Campaign on HIV-AIDS entitled " don't test your luck. Get tested!"  that took part over first 2 weeks of December, collecting donations, and doing a public service in informing people about the disease and all its aspects and preventions.

The Campaign is organized by LeMSIC, as part of the National Campaign done by Standing Committee On Reproductive Health and AIDS (SCORA).

Gynecological Cancer Awareness Campaign

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/Gynecological-Cancer-Awareness-Campaign

On Sunday September 21,2014, Beirut Arab University Faculty of Medicine students took part in organizing a Gynecological Cancer Awareness Campaign at Ain El Mreisseh raised by The Lebanese Medical Student International Committee (LeMSIC) through the standing committee on reproductive health including HIV/AIDs (SCORA) and standing committee on public health (SCOPH) in association with Globe-athon.

It was all about giving information and spreading awareness about breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer. The event ended up successfully where plenty of people were fully informed about everything related to these topics including risk factors,symptoms, prevention methods and examination. A fun event where people participated in games and got ribbons for each type of cancer.

World AIDS DAY

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/World-AIDS-DAY

In the occasion of World AIDS DAY, December the 1st , an awareness campaign on AIDS/HIV was organized by BAU Medical students who are members in    LEMSIC-SCORA Committee ( Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS) .

The campaign took place in Hamra, and then at BAU Beirut campus, on Thursday December 4,2014. Medicine students introduced themselves, then defined AIDS, explained the stages of the disease, and talked about the laboratory tests every infected patient should take especially CD4- Count.

Since the tests are not provided for free, the students raised money from people donations and dedicated the money to the infected patients so they can take these tests at Hotel Dieu and Saint Georges hospitals for free.

The aim of the campaign was not only raising awareness about AIDS, its goal was also to convince people that AIDS infected patients should NOT be isolated from the society, because they are humans like others and not inferior to anyone.

The National Awareness Campaign on HIV-AIDS

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/The-National-Awareness-Campaign-on-HIV-AIDS

Beirut Arab University medical students contributed to the National Awareness Campaign on HIV-AIDS entitled " don't test your luck. Get tested!"  that took part over first 2 weeks of December, collecting donations, and doing a public service in informing people about the disease and all its aspects and preventions.

The Campaign is organized by LeMSIC, as part of the National Campaign done by Standing Committee On Reproductive Health and AIDS (SCORA).

Be Your Body's Buddy

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/Be-Your-Body's-Buddy

The faculty of medicine at Beirut Arab University in collaboration with the Lebanese Medical student international committee (LeMSIC) have decided to embrace the message of the“International Women's day" by organizing an amazing event titled as "Be Your Body's Buddy" in the main Beirut campus of the university.

The faculty of medicine at Beirut Arab University has many visions, one of the most important is raising awareness on the common problems our Lebanese community encounter. This is why the faculty took an important initiative through promoting this event in order to pursue it's vision.
LeMSIC is part of the International Federal Medical Student Association (IFMSA), established in 1964, and composed of six standing committees one of which is the standing committee on sexual and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS which is governing this event.
 "Be your body's buddy" that targets many topics regarding women health, contraception, STIs, period, gynecological cancers and diseases. They also discussed abuse and rape , presenting to Beirut Arab University students the reality we live in. The campaign included interactive quizzes and games , a martial art coach to teach the female students how to defend themselves in any abusive encounter , also a stand for the famous NGO Kafa with brochures and stories, and of course an amazing team of all medical students  putting all their hearts and knowledge in this campaign.

HIV Awareness

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/HIV-Awareness

Since December the 1st is the World AIDS Day, the students of the Faculty of Medicine, represented by the Lebanese Medical Students' International Committee (LeMSIC) and Standing Committee on Sexual and Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDS (SCORA), in collaboration with Red Cross Club Student Activities, have organized an HIV awareness Campaign in Beirut Campus, Al Multaka Building, from the 1st to the 4th of December.

HIV/AIDS has been discussed extensively worldwide in the last few years, and recently there was about 4000 cases reported in Lebanon! The students educated the public about HIV and AIDS, explained the importance of accepting and not-discriminating People Living with HIV in order to eradicate this infectious disease along with all the stigma and taboos related to it.
The Students did so through multiple interactive games concerned with correcting the myths, informing knowing what’s true or false and offering more information about the topic. In addition there was a huge board on which the public expressed whatever they want to support people living with HIV.

The public were satisfied with what they learned and gained.

Word Aids Day

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/Word-Aids-Day

Faculty of Medicine Students in Beirut Arab University (Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee’s (LeMSIC), Standing Committee on Sexual & Reproductive Health Including HIV/AIDS (SCORA)) celebrated World AIDS Day (WAD) campaign celebration that has a goal to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, to end the stigma, and discrimination against people living with HIV,

by preparing a local event about HIV on Tuesday 29/11/2016 in Main Building Beirut Arab University.

 Through this event they spread awareness about HIV, at the information stand they explained to their fellow university students, what is HIV, how it functions, how does it spread, and can they protect themselves to prevent themselves HIV transmission. To make sure that their fellow students got the message that SCORA is trying to spread, they were tested through smart, fun, witty games to see what they have learnt. At the end if they passed those tests, they got a sweet treat, and a chance in entering a tombola to win gift vouchers. 

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Lebanese women regarding menopause

https://www.bau.edu.lb/Medicine/Event/Knowledge-attitudes-and-practices-of-Lebanese-women-regarding-menopause

Under the patronage of Dr. Najlaa Mashaal Dean Faculty of Medicine BAU and the supervision of faculty staff: Dr. Azza Abou El Naga & Dr. Issam Shaarani, the faculty of medicine at Beirut Arab University held an educational presentation across two locations: on April 1st,2016 at Siblin Governmental Hospital and on April 14th, 2016 at the faculty of medicine at BAU.

Ahmad Chaaban, Walaa Mahmoud, Sandra Anka, Sandy El-Sayed, and Ghinwa Lawand have been working since 2014 on a study under the title: “Knowledge, attitudes and practices of Lebanese women regarding menopause”. The aim of the round was to share the results obtained in this study with the hospital staffs, faculty’s staff and students.
Throughout the presentation, the five medical students discussed the results they obtained regarding: knowledge, attitudes, symptoms, complications, treatment and screening regarding menopause among Lebanese women. They were able to prove their hypothesis, based on the results they obtained, that Lebanese women lack scientific knowledge, positive attitudes, and proper practices towards menopause and its related issues.

BAU organized a breast cancer awareness campaign in Lebanese schools during the month of October in collaboration with Pharm D and Medicine students.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=779692457526809&set=a.668151805347542

Dr. Souraya Domiati (Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy) organized a breast cancer awareness campaign in Lebanese schools during the month of October In collaboration with Pharm D and Medicine students. The campaign aimed to disseminate awareness about Breast cancer risk factors, and to share the experience of some breast cancer survivors.

On 13 October 2025, students from the Faculty of Health Sciences attended a series of talks aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer, its risk factors, prevention strategies, and the importance of early detection. In addition the students held awareness booths on Beirut campus filled with interactive activities. On 18 October, students from the faculty to the Pinky Promise Event at the Forum de Beyrouth, joining a large community initiative to support breast cancer awareness and solidarity with patients and survivors

A separate official faculty profile records a breast cancer awareness activity among BAU students in November 2025. The same profile identifies the faculty author of the university student STI knowledge study described below. This provides an additional recent record of staff involvement in student health awareness.

Evidence: Faculty record of student awareness activities (Activities and Publications sections)

Recent research on student sexual and menstrual health

BAU researchers have studied sexual health knowledge and menstrual wellbeing among university students. These studies provide public educational resources and evidence about students’ needs. They are supporting evidence of research and knowledge production; their sample sizes are not counts of students treated or trained through an outreach programme.

12 Sexual health knowledge among BAU students in 2025

Arandass and Kadamani’s 2025 article in the International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences assessed knowledge and attitudes toward sexually transmitted diseases among 414 BAU students. It identified specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions and recommended addressing them through sexual health education. The article and the author’s BAU profile establish a university connection and a recent assessment of the student population. The publication provides supporting information about the educational needs of BAU students.

Evidence: Original student sexual health study

13 Menstrual health knowledge among health professions students in 2023

The 2023 study Knowledge and Attitude towards Dysmenorrhea among Health Professions Students assessed BAU students from Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Health Sciences. It examined menstrual pain knowledge and attitudes among male and female students. This contributes evidence on reproductive health literacy and student learning needs across several faculties and provides an additional information resource on student menstrual health.

Evidence: Original dysmenorrhoea study

14 Premenstrual symptoms and management among BAU students in 2026

A BAU Faculty of Pharmacy study published in PLOS One on 27 July 2026 surveyed 1,062 female BAU students between 20 April and 8 May 2026. It assessed premenstrual symptoms, management practices and associated lifestyle and psychosocial factors. The researchers recommended university awareness, screening and counselling strategies. This recent publication documents attention to menstrual wellbeing in the student population and identifies priorities for student health education and support.

Evidence: Original BAU premenstrual health study

15 Wider sexual and reproductive health knowledge

A study published on 28 January 2021 in Reproductive Health by BAU-affiliated researchers examined sexual and reproductive health knowledge among unmarried women in Lebanon. It addressed STIs, menstruation, pregnancy, contraception and related topics, and recommended education in academic and community settings. The openly accessible article provides a further university-linked information resource and establishes faculty engagement with reproductive health literacy. Its participants were not defined as BAU students, so it supports research expertise rather than student service utilisation.

Evidence: Original sexual and reproductive health knowledge study

Supporting student wellbeing and inclusion

16 Psychosocial support for students

On 29 February 2024, the Faculty of Human Sciences opened a Psychosocial Counselling Unit for university students. The unit provides psychological, social and educational interventions, guidance and preventive activities according to professional and ethical standards. It offers a wider student wellbeing resource alongside medical services, helping students address personal and social concerns through general psychosocial support.

Evidence: Opening of BAU Psychosocial Counselling Unit

BAU’s published equal opportunity commitment supports an inclusive environment based on equality, respect and diversity in education and employment. This provides the wider institutional context for student support and wellbeing.

Evidence: BAU equal opportunity commitment

Fees and the scope of student access

The evidence supports access to university-provided care and education. Fee descriptions require a distinction between affordable provision and an explicit waiver. The Health and Wellness page states that Beirut student medical services have reduced prices, while the operational ICARE page describes symbolic charges. BAUHC’s main page also uses the phrase “complimentary consultation fees” alongside statements about affordable care. These descriptions do not identify a universal student exemption covering reproductive consultations, investigations, procedures and medicines.

Evidence: BAUHC published access and fee descriptions

The 2026–2027 undergraduate tuition schedule lists a bundled services fee of US$200 per semester covering technology, healthcare and extracurricular services. It does not itemise sexual and reproductive health procedures or establish that all such care is included without additional charges. The documented student access can therefore be stated confidently, while a claim of universally free care would require a specific published entitlement or fee waiver.

Evidence: BAU undergraduate tuition and services fees (2026–2027 schedule)

Submission conclusion

Recommended response: Yes. BAU provides an institutional route to student sexual and reproductive healthcare through BAUHC and its specialist clinics, including advertised reproductive procedures. It also delivers relevant information and education through targeted sessions, maternal health activities, student organisations and academic programmes. The strongest evidence combines student eligibility, concrete clinical provision and documented education. The response describes healthcare access as affordable or subsidised where stated and does not claim that every reproductive health service is free.