Tawasol – Sept 2017 issue

‘Tawasol’ (which translates to ‘communicate’) is our newsletter for MS organisations in the Arab region. Each issue features news from MS organisations, as well as a profile of a person who is involved with the MS movement.

September issue of Tawasol includles highlights from MSIF movement’s meetings in London to celebrate the 50^th anniversary and news shared by 17 organisations in 12 countries.

In addition, we also had a contribution from Sahar Salamah, Executive Manager of Arfa MS Society, on strategic planning and involvement of people with MS.

You can view the full newsletter in Arabic here: https://issuu.com/arabmsorg_mar2013/docs/sept_2017

Here are the highlights from this issue.

1. Members of the global MSIF movement marked its 50th anniversary in style in September, joining together for a very special set of meetings in London.
2. Minister of Health in Palestine Dr. Jawad Awad announced during a meeting with the President of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Friends Society (MSPF) that an agreement to solve the problem of the contribution of people with MS to the price of Fingolimod has been reached.
3. Nourane Association for people with MS in Setif, Algeria agreed with a number of clinics to reduce the price for people with MS, and the Society will also contribute to the remaining cost for those in need.
4. The Society of Lebanese Friends of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (ALSEP) organised an awareness raising and health week at the Society’s Social Medical and Center to support the local community.
5. The president of Tunisian MS Association (ATSEP) visited the General Secretary Civil Society Department in the continuation efforts to officially register the Maghreb Union. It was agreed that the current law regulating Civil Society organisations allows forming representatives’ offices and Unions for the Maghrib’s NGOs.
6. Moroccan MS Association (AMMASEP) held a series of meetings with the pharmaceutical companies to discuss funding opportunities. The association also organised workshops with newly diagnosed people with MS.
7. On the celebration of the Women’s Day, the UAE MS Support Group participating in honoring police women leaders for their service to the community.
8. As part of Al Hanaa MS Society in Fes participation at the capacity building programme, the Society attended MS International Federations’ meetings in London and the celebration of the federation 50 anniversary.
9. The North of Morocco Society for people with MS (NORD.MA.SEP) organised a meeting with people with MS registered with the society. During the meeting, the people with MS needs were discussed. It was also opportunity to know the development of the health condition of those attended.
10. Arfa MS Society in Saudi Arabia organised “My life is hopeful” programme. The programme included lecturers on the role of art therapy in stress relieving and an interactive drawing workshop for people with MS.
11. Bahraini MS Society participated in the 36^th Human Rights Council workshop aimed at raising the awareness of the participants about the establishment of the Human Rights Council at the UN.
12. MS Care Society in Egypt organised a symposium and workshop where people with MS, family members and doctors came together to discuss the family problems occurs as a result of MS and possible ways to solve/manage these problems.
13. With financial support from MS International Federation (MSIF), MS Society in Berkane Region, Morocco, organised a 3-day awareness campaign across the eastern region (Wijjda, Ahfir, El Saedia, Al Nazor, Ras Maa and Berkane city). Publications and flyers were distributed among the public and conversations were exchanged with the public about MS.
14. MS Society in Aden, Yemen, held its election assembly and the tasks of the board members were allocated, in the presence of delegation of the social affairs and director of Civil Society department.
15. Al Hayah MS Society produced a short documentary about the society and its role in supporting people with MS in Iraq.
16. Al Razi Society for MS celebrated World MS Day on July 18, 2017 by organising an educational day. The day included presenting the society goals and purposes and introducing the board members. The day also included lecture on MS, its symptoms and the available treatments.
17. The MS Programme at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology in UAE organised an educational seminar on causes of depressing and anxiety in MS and how to find about the common symptoms and deal with them.
18. Multiple Sclerosis Society in Jordan attended workshops organised by the American University in Lebanon on fundraising for NGOs and advocacy techniques.
19. An article from Sahar Salamah, Executive Manager of Arfa MS Society, on how Arfa MS Society developed their strategic planning and how people with MS were involved.

MSIF 50th Anniversary Board Meetings, London

Multiple Sclerosis Patients Friends Society (MSPF)

Nourane Association for people with MS

Society of Lebanese Friends of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (ALSEP)

Tunisian MS Association (ATSEP)

Moroccan MS Association (AMMASEP)

UAE MS Support Group

Al Hanaa MS Society

North of Morocco Society for people with MS (NORD.MA.SEP)

Arfa MS Society

Bahraini MS Society

MS Programme at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology in UAE

MS Care Society in Egypt

MS Society in Berkane Region, Morocco

MS Society in Aden, Yemen

Al Hayah MS Society

Al Razi Society for MS

Multiple Sclerosis Society in Jordan