Hanar Health

According to UNICEF research in 2019 Girls experience a higher burden of mental disorders compared with boys, due to increased depression and anxiety. Also, girls in the region experience suicidal behavior: between 10 and 23 percent of female students report attempting suicide in the previous 12 months. Girls also face substantial threats to their health, well-being, and full participation: around a third of girls are married by the age of 18 years in Iraq, Yemen, and Sudan; female genital mutilation remains prevalent in some settings; and the rate of girls not in education, employment or training is more than double that of boys. Poor reproductive health, including high unmet need for contraception, adolescent childbearing, and maternal disorders are also important contributors to morbidity and mortality in many settings and contributed to almost 1,700 maternal deaths among 10–24-year-old girls in 2019.

HANAR addresses the specific problem of limited access to information about reproductive health for women and girls in the region. It also solves the challenge of communicating with OB-GYNs without the need for in-person visits to clinics. By providing a mobile platform with customized period and fertility calendars, as well as secure communication with medical professionals, HANAR empowers women to learn about their bodies and prioritize their reproductive health.

Additionally, HANAR aims to provide eco-friendly hygiene products and that’ll be fulfilled by offering sustainable and environmentally friendly options so, we’re eager to make sure that our app promotes the use of products that are not only beneficial for women's health but also for the planet. This further enhances the holistic approach of HANAR towards women's health and wellness.

HANAR Health is an application-based platform that serves as a virtual clinic. Also, HANAR will provide a medical library since the medical sources in Arabic and Kurdish are very limited, according to a research paper published in JMIR publications, around 5% of the users on the internet speak Arabic yet only 1% of the content is written in Arabic. The library will contain different sources in Arabic, Kurdish, and English.

HANAR will provide expert tools for cycles, fertility, and pregnancy, eco-friendly hygiene products, mental health support, and a commitment to raising sexual and reproductive health awareness in the Middle East. Additionally, since AI technology is now capable of deriving algorithms that can be used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and medical conditions, HANAR is planning to make use of AI and add different AI tools that could help our customers in various aspects. This includes a chatbot that can answer the questions our customers may have, as well as providing the information they need. We also plan to incorporate other AI tools to make the experience on our platform more convenient and reliable.

Major reproductive health issues are found in the MENA region such as high maternal mortality, high fertility and slowing fertility decline; early marriage and high teenage fertility and female genital cutting. Also, you’ll find majority of women suffer from different kinds of mental disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to plan and implement programs targeted to specific issues and underprivileged groups; develop effective and sustainable health systems with high-quality services. 

First, we need to raise awareness on the importance of women’s reproductive health as well as mental disorders in order to fulfil our aim in empowering women and providing a secure environment. One of the major issues in the MENA region is the prevailing stigma surrounding mental health therapy with many people being reluctant to seek help. This stigma often results in individuals with severe mental disorders experiencing serious consequences, including depression and social isolation. HANAR will provide online therapy sessions to support the individuals who are hesitant to seek help due to social norms. Additionally, HANAR is committed to providing organic and recyclable products. Moreover, HANAR aims to expand the medical resources in both Arabic and Kurdish languages as well as make use of AI tools such as CHATGPT and others to create a more user-friendly and convenient experience for its users, for social media HANAR will play an active role in raising awareness on the various issues and topics related to women and mental health disorders, utilizing multiple languages, including Arabic, Kurdish, and English.

In the future, HANAR plans to allocate 30% of the period related products for donation to refugees and individuals facing financial hardship.

As a team lead and representative of these communities, I have been actively engaged in understanding the needs of the people we serve. Through my experience as a volunteer since 2014, particularly in projects focused on women's rights, I have gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by women in my community.

To ensure that our solution is meaningful and effective, we have actively involved the community in the design and implementation process. We have conducted surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather their input, ideas, and agendas. By listening to their perspectives and understanding their unique challenges, we have been able to tailor our solution to meet their specific needs.

Collaboration is key in our approach. By working closely together as a team, we have combined our knowledge and expertise to develop a project that prioritizes women's health targeting the Middle East, our aim is to serve a larger number of women in the region and provide guidance and support for better health. Also, our solution focuses on offering eco-friendly and organic products to women. We recognize the importance of promoting sustainable practices and minimizing the environmental impact of the products they use. Overall, our solution is guided by the input and ideas of the communities we serve. We believe that by actively engaging them in the development process, we can create a solution that truly addresses their problems and helps them with their needs.

At Hanar, we've accomplished a significant milestone by completing the UI/UX design phase of our revolutionary mobile app. This achievement brings us closer to our vision of empowering women with comprehensive healthcare solutions. In the near future, we are focused on the development phase, ensuring that every feature and functionality of Hanar is meticulously crafted to perfection. By early 2024, we plan to launch Hanar, making it available to women worldwide.

Our dedication to women's well-being goes beyond just tracking periods, fertility, and pregnancy. We have collaborated with experienced professionals, including renowned psychiatrists, to provide mental health support services. This collaboration will ensure that Hanar becomes a holistic platform, addressing both physical and mental aspects of women's health.

Furthermore, we are excited to announce the launch of our extensive medical library, offering a vast collection of resources in Arabic, English, and Kurdish languages. This library will serve as a valuable source of information, empowering women to make informed decisions about their health.

With Hanar, women will have access to an all-in-one application, combining trackers, secure data storage, hygiene products, a virtual clinic, and a comprehensive medical library. Our mission is to revolutionize women's healthcare and provide a seamless experience that caters to their unique needs.

You can also check the video I have shared showing you the UI/UX phase of the Hanar Application.

What sets Hanar apart and makes it innovative is our comprehensive approach to women's healthcare. Hanar combines period, fertility, and pregnancy tracking with secure data storage, hygiene products, a virtual clinic, and an extensive medical library. This all-in-one solution revolutionizes how women access and manage their healthcare needs.Unlike existing solutions that focus on individual aspects of women's health, Hanar provides a holistic platform that addresses multiple dimensions of well-being. By integrating these features into a single app, Hanar offers convenience, accessibility, and personalized support to women at every stage of their reproductive journey.Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts by empowering women various resources, and professional support. By providing a secure and private space for women to track their health, access medical information, and connect with healthcare professionals, Hanar aims to enhance women's agency and decision-making in their own healthcare. In terms of market impact, Hanar has the potential to disrupt the traditional healthcare landscape by leveraging technology and innovation. By offering a comprehensive suite of services, Hanar changes the way women approach their healthcare needs. It shifts the focus from fragmented solutions to a unified and user-centric experience. Hanar leverages both existing technologies and new applications to create its innovative solution. Overall, Hanar's innovative approach has the potential to transform the women's healthcare market.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are centered around creating a transformational impact on women's healthcare in the Middle East. In the next five years, our aim is to expand our reach and target the entire Middle East region, ensuring that women from diverse backgrounds have access to our comprehensive healthcare platform.

To achieve this, we plan to implement various strategies. Firstly, we will focus on conducting awareness campaigns to educate women about reproductive health and sexual awareness. By raising awareness, we aim to empower women to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

Additionally, we envision establishing a presence in at least 10 Middle Eastern countries, making our products readily available through physical shops. These shops will provide a wide range of hygiene products specifically tailored to meet the needs of women during their periods.

Furthermore, we are committed to giving back to the community. We plan to allocate non-profit profits towards initiatives that make sanitary pads accessible at public places for free. This initiative aims to address the issue of period poverty and ensure that women have access to essential hygiene products, regardless of their financial circumstances.

By combining these efforts, we strive to create a positive and lasting impact on women's healthcare in the Middle East. Our goal is to empower women, improve access to essential products and services, and promote reproductive health and well-being throughout the region.

At Hanar, we expect our solution to have a significant impact on the problem of women's healthcare by providing comprehensive support and empowering women to take control of their reproductive health. 

Through our mobile app, women can easily track their periods, fertility, and pregnancy, helping them understand their bodies and make informed decisions. This immediate output of accurate and personalized information enables women to take proactive steps toward their reproductive health.

By offering a secure data storage feature, Hanar ensures that women's personal health information is kept safe and easily accessible whenever needed. This empowers women to have control over their own health data, promoting privacy and informed decision-making.

Our virtual clinic connects women with healthcare professionals, including mental health support services, ensuring that women have access to expert advice and guidance. This immediate output of professional support helps address any concerns or challenges women may face, promoting their overall well-being.

Furthermore, Hanar's extensive medical library provides a wealth of information in multiple languages, empowering women with knowledge about reproductive health, contraception, and other related topics. This immediate output of accessible information enables women to make informed choices and take charge of their reproductive health.

In the longer term, we expect these outputs to lead to positive outcomes. By empowering women with knowledge, support, and access to healthcare services, we anticipate improved reproductive health outcomes, increased awareness, and reduced stigma around women's health issues.

Ultimately, our theory of change is based on the belief that when women have the necessary tools, information, and support, they can make informed decisions about their reproductive health, leading to improved overall well-being and a positive impact on their lives.

Our team consists of five members, including two founders and three volunteers. However, once our business takes off, they will transition into full-time employees.

Regarding the development team, they are from Ukraine and we work based on the tasks for the project.

We've been working on our solution for almost 8 months and consistently innovative elements to enhance its overall quality and effectiveness.

At Hanar, we deeply value diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our work. Our leadership team is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. Growing up in Iraq, a country with a rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and ethnicities, has instilled in us a deep appreciation for diversity. We recognize that diversity brings unique perspectives, creativity, and innovation to our team. It allows us to better understand and serve the diverse needs of our users. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel welcomed, respected, and valued. Our goal is to continue building a diverse team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively seek out individuals from different backgrounds and experiences to join our team. We believe that by embracing diversity, we can create a more equitable and inclusive platform that caters to the diverse needs of women worldwide. In addition to our efforts in team diversity, we are also committed to ensuring equity in our work. We strive to provide equal opportunities for growth and advancement to all team members, regardless of their background or identity. We are dedicated to addressing any unique and systemic barriers that may hinder the full participation of marginalized groups. Creating an inclusive environment is a core value at Hanar. We promote open communication, respect, and collaboration among team members. We actively listen to diverse perspectives and encourage everyone to contribute their ideas and insights. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ongoing journeys, and we are committed to continuously learning, evolving, and improving in these areas. By embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive culture, we believe we can create a truly impactful and empowering platform for women's healthcare.

Hanar's business model is designed to generate revenue through various avenues. The virtual clinic feature allows users to access professional healthcare services, which can generate income through consultation fees or subscription-based models. Additionally, Hanar offers hygiene products within the app, creating an additional revenue stream. To enhance the user experience and provide added value, Hanar may introduce extra features that require subscriptions. These premium features can offer exclusive content, personalized insights, or advanced functionalities to users who opt for the subscription model.

Looking ahead, Hanar has plans to allocate a portion of its business towards non-profit projects. By 2026, approximately 30% of the business will be dedicated to supporting initiatives that benefit the community and contribute to social impact.

This hybrid approach allows Hanar to sustain its revenue streams while also fulfilling its commitment to social responsibility. By diversifying its revenue sources and incorporating non-profit projects, Hanar aims to create a sustainable and impactful business model that benefits both its users and the wider community.

Hanar is taking proactive steps to secure additional funds by applying for various programs. As two founders investing our own savings and working multiple jobs, obtaining initial funding would greatly accelerate our progress. With my software engineering background and the femtech nature of our project, we are able to handle a significant amount of work ourselves until we can expand our team. Once we raise approximately $70,000, Hanar will have the opportunity to target the entire Middle East region and generate revenue through product sales, virtual clinics, and subscriptions. Currently, Hanar is already providing mental health services while actively raising funds for upcoming services.