In Lebanon, SOHA 2 Strengthens Prevention and Awareness of Chronic Diseases
06/11/2026
Faced with deteriorating living conditions and an economic and social crisis that is causing long-term instability in access to healthcare in Lebanon, it has become essential to rethink the medical approach by placing the prevention of chronic diseases at the heart of public health priorities.
The Fondation Pierre Fabre and the Order of Malta in Lebanon, with support from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), have been implementing the SOHA 2 project since 2024.
In line with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health’s National Strategic Plan 2030, this initiative prioritizes a preventive approach based on health education, information on lifestyle habits, and community engagement. A new national awareness campaign on body mass index (BMI) is part of this effort, with one goal: to empower everyone to take charge of their own health and help prevent chronic diseases.
SOHA 2: A Comprehensive Approach to Strengthening the Primary Health Care System
The SOHA 2 project aims to address the health consequences of the increasing poverty among the population living in Lebanon. It is developing an innovative approach based on prevention and access to care for the most vulnerable patients with chronic conditions, notably through community mobilization and the implementation of a hybrid medical model combining outpatient consultations and tele-expertise, coupled with measures to curb the trend toward overuse of medical services and medications.
The sustainability of the initiative rests on a revised approach to health care—in line with the long-term primary health care grant protocol—the continued accreditation of primary health care centers operated by the Association Libanaise des Chevaliers de Malte (ALCM), epidemiological surveillance, and efforts to achieve financial stability.
By the end of the SOHA 2 project, 420,000 people from communities surrounding the 12 primary health care centers managed by ALCM, located throughout Lebanon, will have directly benefited from health information and education campaigns.
Making Prevention a Daily Habit
One of the central aspects of the SOHA 2 project is to transform attitudes toward health and care. Indeed, the prevention of chronic diseases relies in particular on adopting health-promoting behaviors, which often involve changes in body mass index (BMI).
A balanced diet, physical activity, a healthy lifestyle, and the prevention of risk factors are all key strategies that help limit the onset or progression of chronic diseases, particularly metabolic disorders.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the indicators used to raise public awareness of the links between weight, health, and metabolic risks. Calculated based on weight and height, it provides an initial indication of a person’s body composition and serves as a starting point for discussions about their lifestyle habits. However, it must be interpreted with caution and does not, on its own, constitute a medical diagnosis.
To support this shift in behavior, the ALCM targets communities located around its 12 primary health care centers. The information campaigns and community activities organized by these centers help connect prevention messages to the daily realities of residents.
The goal is dual: to share useful knowledge and encourage its practical application, by empowering communities to actively experiment with new ways of taking care of their health.
A National Awareness Campaign on BMI
As part of the SOHA 2 project, the Order of Malta Lebanon is launching a national information campaign focused on body mass index (BMI) and the prevention of metabolic disorders.
This campaign consists of a series of animated videos and reports posted on the Order of Malta Lebanon’s social media channels over a 12-day period to gradually raise public awareness about the importance of prevention and healthy lifestyle habits.
The videos address these topics in an accessible and educational way, providing concrete information about BMI and its role in preventing chronic diseases.
Beyond simply conveying information, this initiative aims to change perceptions: to foster a better understanding of risk factors, identify behaviors that can be modified, and encourage everyone to take an active role in their own health. This campaign is part of a broader health education effort, carried out in coordination with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, with a particular focus on issues related to gender and youth.
To learn more: https://orderofmaltalebanon.org/services/healthcare