An Awareness Workshop on Heart Safety At Beirut Arab University

Under the title of “Play it Healthy”, the Faculty of Medicine at Beirut Arab University, in collaboration with Champs Fund, organized an awareness workshop on heart safety, in particular of youth and young athletes. The workshop was held on campus in Beirut, under the Patronage and with the attendance the Minister of Youth and Sports, General Abdelmottaleb Hinnawi. The event was attended by Prof. Amr Galal El Adawi, President of BAU, Dr. Omar Houri, BAU Secretary General, as well as the deans, students and the athletes of BAU clubs.

The workshop aimed at the early detection of any heart function problems, to avoid cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death when playing sports. It also aimed at equipping institutions and teams with the necessary apparatuses capable of performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the case of such emergencies.

The workshop opened with the Lebanese National Anthem and the BAU Anthem, followed by a speech by Prof. Naglaa Mashaal, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, in which she stated that the workshops aims at ensuring a safe and healthy sports life for the youth.

This was followed by a presentation delivered by Dr. Mona Osman, Head of Champs Fund, in which she gave a brief review of the activities performed by the Fund. She also highlighted on a number of examples of young athletes who suffered sudden cardiac deaths that led to their hearts stopping while playing sports. Dr. Osman invited all students to benefit from the early detection program to avoid sudden deaths.

In his speech, Prof. Amr El Adawi highlighted the utmost attention given by the University to various student activities, in particular the sports, with the aim of building the students’ personalities. He also thanked the Fund for their efforts in attaining a healthy psychological and physical being.

In turn, the Minister of Youth and Sports, General Abdelmottalib Hennawi, praised the University’s concern with the issues pertaining to the youth and sports, by combating the forces of destruction that young people are exposed to, particularly drugs, alcohol and other behaviours that are detrimental to upcoming generations. Hennawi also stressed on the importance of raising awareness for the safety of the heart, since this is also a positive indicator for the soundness of the body.

In the end, Certificates of Appreciation and Participation were distributed to the sports team at BAU, who attended training courses in CPR to be prepared for any possible accident that may befall the BAU youth, athletes or employees. In conclusion, an honorary shield was presented by the President to Minister Hennawi.