Diabetes Awareness Lectures  

Phoenicia University (PU) has partnered with the Lebanese Welfare Association for the Handicapped (LWAH) to organize free diabetes awareness lectures for the wider community. Since its launch in 2023, the initiative has provided educational sessions for school students across the region and parents at LWAH, focusing on diabetes prevention, early detection, and disease management.

The lectures are delivered by a nutritionist, a medical doctor, and faculty members from PU’s College of Public Health. They cover the causes, risk factors, warning signs, and management of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Sessions for Schools

In 2025, sessions were held at five schools: LSE School of Excellence, Msayleh Public School, Shimran, Coloni Srepta, and Abi Dhar Al-Ghafari. The sessions introduced students to diabetes, its symptoms, and healthy lifestyle habits. A total of 282 students were reached across the five schools, with Msayleh Public School recording the highest participation (95 students).

Sessions for Parents

Separate sessions provided parents with practical guidance on recognizing diabetes symptoms in children, supporting newly diagnosed children, and managing nutrition, insulin, and daily blood glucose monitoring.

Screening and Follow-Up

The campaign also offers free diabetes screening and consultations with medical specialists and nutritionists. In 2025, 114 individuals were identified as living with diabetes, including 49 with Type 1 and 65 with Type 2, compared with three individuals identified in 2024. Participants receive glucometers to monitor their blood glucose levels, with referrals and follow-up care arranged when needed.

The initiative contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting diabetes prevention, early detection, and access to healthcare services. It also supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the provision of health education to students and parents, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by improving access to free screening and health services for underserved communities, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between PU and LWAH.