SIDC, committed to ensuring access to healthcare for the most vulnerable in Lebanon
Since 1987, the Lebanese non-profit Society for Inclusion and Development in Communities (SIDC) has been fully committed to ensuring access to quality healthcare and treatment for vulnerable communities, especially people living with HIV. It offers psychosocial support and referral services both within and beyond the organization. With the support of L’Initiative, SIDC leads the Gateway to Better Health project, working to promote inclusive, stigma-free healthcare services in Lebanon for the most marginalized.
That day, Mélissa arrives at the Society for Inclusion and Development in Communities (SIDC) office feeling overwhelmed. She moved to Lebanon two years ago from Sierra Leone and is in urgent need of medical attention—she has just learned that she is HIV positive. The team at the sexual and reproductive health clinic and HIV support unit immediately work together to provide her with comprehensive care, beginning with an urgent consultation with an infectious disease specialist. Thanks to the guidance of a social worker, Mélissa gains a clear understanding of the necessary steps for her health. She feels respected, reassured, and protected. Since that initial visit three months ago, Mélissa has been adhering to her treatment and regularly returning to SIDC to pick up her medication. Today, her viral load is undetectable.
Mélissa’s story is a testament to the crucial role of SIDC. For many, healthcare access and testing remain full of challenges. To respond to this issue, SIDC, with the support of L’Initiative, implemented the Gateway to Better Health project from 2022 to 2024. Launched in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the Bekaa region, this initiative seeks to improve healthcare access for the most marginalized groups, particularly people living with HIV. The project ensures comprehensive medical care, psychosocial assistance, and mental health support, all delivered through a person-centered approach tailored to individual needs.
Migrant communities, sex workers, people who use drugs, incarcerated individuals, and LGBTQIA+ people all encounter stigma, legal constraints, and financial limitations. In addition to offering healthcare and support, the project seeks to remove these obstacles and strengthen individuals’ autonomy in managing their health. This challenge is even more pressing in Lebanon’s ongoing crisis, where political and economic instability worsens the marginalization of vulnerable groups and sidelines the fight against HIV.
Tackling health and social issues
Dressed in bright blue jackets, the SIDC outreach team drives through Lebanese streets in its mobile unit, reaching out to marginalized communities through dialogue, awareness campaigns, and screening programs. “This project has made it easier to access testing and treatment for HIV, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and cervical cancer. We have conducted 6,000 tests annually. Those who tested positive were guided and supported in accessing treatment. This initiative has significantly accelerated healthcare responses and resolved medical issues that might have taken much longer to address,” explains Patrick Farah, coordinator of the sexual health clinic and expert in counseling and voluntary testing. In addition to medical care, the project offers a wide range of support services. L’Initiative provided emergency funding to its Lebanese partners to respond to urgent needs during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict from September 23 to November 26, 2024. During this crisis, SIDC played a frontline role, working relentlessly to assist vulnerable and displaced communities. “We distributed 3,000 hygiene kits and 880 food vouchers. More than 12,000 people received financial aid to buy medication or secure temporary shelter. At the same time, SIDC social workers and their partners organized over 1,800 mental health workshops to support those in need,” says Manal Dika, project coordinator at SIDC.
Psychological and financial support plays a crucial role in helping marginalized individuals rebuild their lives. “Wherever I went, stigma followed me. When I tried to file a complaint against my partner, they refused to register it and humiliated me,” recalls Samia. Born and raised in Lebanon, this Palestinian woman is transgender and living with HIV. “I was in a deep crisis when I reached out to SIDC, feeling completely stuck. Together with the social worker, we created a plan to help me cope with my distress and push back against exclusion and suffering. For the first time, I felt heard and supported—without judgment,” she shares. SIDC’s guidance and support have helped her move forward. Additionally, SIDC documents and shares the testimonies of individuals who have experienced violence and discrimination to bring awareness to these struggles and emphasize the need for equal access to healthcare and human rights for all, without exception.
Raising awareness among the most vulnerable and society
Establishing a supportive environment that strengthens the right to health for marginalized communities in Lebanon is crucial. “We reach out to decision-makers, religious leaders, the media, and the police to broaden perspectives and transform public discourse,” says Nadia Badran, Executive Director of SIDC. Media professionals receive training on how to report on issues affecting vulnerable populations, including ways to address stigma and discrimination. As part of the initiative, an online training course has been designed for Lebanese law enforcement. The program covers HIV, STIs, population vulnerabilities, the harmful effects of stigma, and mental health awareness.
In Lebanon, systemic discrimination criminalizes LGBTQIA+ individuals, who are prosecuted under Article 534 of the Penal Code, which penalizes “any sexual act against the order of nature” with up to one year in prison. For this reason, advocacy efforts and awareness campaigns are crucial in changing perceptions and advancing the recognition of rights, both within health institutions and among Lebanese society.
As part of the project, an online awareness campaign was launched on various digital platforms and dating apps, reaching approximately 18,700 people. “One of these platforms is our own creation: the Ask Me app. It helps users schedule medical appointments, track necessary retests, and locate testing centers. They can also scan and securely store their medical records on the app, while accessing key health information,” explains Manal Dika.
A synergy that delivers results
These initiatives stem from strong collaboration between SIDC, its partners, government agencies, and NGOs, backed by L’Initiative and working in complementarity with the Global Fund. Martine personally experienced the power of this coordination. A young migrant, she had just tested HIV positive when she turned to SIDC. Pregnant, she feared for her child’s health. Timely medical intervention enabled her to start antiretroviral therapy and receive psychological support. Her situation became even more delicate when she gave birth prematurely. SIDC swiftly engaged its network of partners, ensuring the newborn’s immediate access to HIV preventive treatment—post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Thanks to this intervention, the baby was born HIV-free. This synergy between maternal health and HIV specialists is life-saving. Martine and her baby, who remain under SIDC’s care, are proof of its impact. Her story underscores the urgent need to continue investing in inclusive healthcare systems that uphold the right to health and dignity for every vulnerable individual.
