Recently, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced the arrest of three Lebanese nationals on drug charges in Hay el Sellom, a neighborhood in southern Beirut. A fistfight turned into a knife fight, and the suspects were apprehended. While the violence was not related to any political agenda, it was a manifestation of the increasing proliferation of weapons, a dysfunctional Justice system, and the history of violence in our society.
The area is one of the most impoverished in Lebanon, with more than 120,000 inhabitants living in an area just two square kilometers. There are just three public rubbish tip locations in the entire neighbourhood, and many residents prefer to dump their rubbish into the river rather than make the journey to the tip. The area also has many illegal residences, making it impossible to maintain a sanitary environment. As a result, waterways are polluted and the surrounding areas are unsafe.
The Hay El Sellom Health Center serves as an important health center in the area. It provides primary health care, conducts laboratory tests, performs medical examinations, screens for malnutrition, and refers patients to hospitals as needed. The Health Center also offers family planning support, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health. About 1500 patients visit the center every month. In addition to providing health services, the organization also provides psychosocial activities to the local population.
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