Bethlehem University’s Midwifery Department recently hosted a successful annual event as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event, held at the Tarek Ahmad Juffali Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, aimed to raise awareness about women’s health, with a particular focus on breast cancer, early detection, and prevention.
The event featured a range of engaging activities led by students who had participated in training sessions provided by the Psycho-Social Counseling Center for Women as part of the “Together We Rise” project, funded by the Dutch War Child Foundation.
The event targeted women in the Bethlehem Governorate, especially marginalized communities like Arab ar-Rashayida. Approximately 60 women participated, and all underwent clinical examinations conducted by midwifery students under the supervision of their instructors.
Ms. Fatima Madani, Chairperson of the Midwifery Department, highlighted the event’s various educational activities, including the launch of a new women’s health educational center at the University. Students also had the opportunity to hear personal stories from participating women, fostering a supportive environment for sharing experiences and challenges.
Furthermore, the event included training sessions on self-examination for early breast cancer detection and guidance on the necessary steps to take if any concerning signs were discovered. Women were also referred to specialized healthcare providers for further evaluation.
Madani mentioned that while a mobile mammography unit from Augusta Victoria Hospital was initially scheduled to be on-site, technical difficulties prevented this. However, a dedicated team from the hospital will be visiting Arab ar-Rashayida to provide free mammograms to women in the village.
A similar event was held on 9 October 2024 at Aida Refugee Camp, in collaboration with the Aida Youth Center, and was well-attended by local women. The event focused on breast cancer awareness and early detection, featuring a variety of educational activities and workshops led by midwifery students.
The department plans to continue these activities the next week at the Rowad Center, building upon the success of previous events and providing additional support to women in the camp.
