On Mother's Day, the spiritual fathers of Hôtel-Dieu de France organized a solemn Byzantine mass on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the "Notre Dame de la Tendresse" Church. This deeply spiritual event, filled with profound gratitude, brought together the entire hospital community to honor the love and sacrifice of mothers.

The mass was presided over by Father Nabil Chehata, S.J., in the presence of Fathers Elias Daou and Wadih Nehme, as well as numerous members of the hospital staff. Thanks to the hospital's internal channel, patients and their families had the opportunity to participate live in this celebration from the comfort of their rooms, thus uniting all those who could not be physically present.

In his homily, Father Nabil Chehata, S.J., emphasized the essential role of mothers, not only through their unwavering dedication to patients at the hospital but also through their daily commitment within their families. He paid tribute to the immense strength, love, and compassion that define every mother.

The prayer was specially dedicated to all mothers, as a profound sign of recognition for their unconditional love and daily sacrifice, which nourish the well-being of both family and society.

To conclude this ceremony, filled with tenderness and respect, sacred hymns were performed, bringing both a joyful and solemn note to this unique occasion, in tribute to the human values embodied by all mothers.

On World Kidney Day, Hôtel-Dieu de France participated in the walkathon organized by Lebanese Association of Nephrology Nurses and the Kidneyds Association

This event, where young and old gathered to walk together, aimed to raise public awareness of kidney diseases and promote the importance of their prevention and early detection. Thanks to this initiative, people were reminded of the importance of taking care of their kidney health and supporting awareness-raising campaigns around kidney disease.

Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF) and Saint Joseph University (USJ) proudly announce the signing of a groundbreaking agreement to introduce Lebanon’s first and latest generation Cambridge Medical Robotics (CMR) Versius® Surgical Robot system. This cutting-edge technology, provided by PROMEDZ in Lebanon, as the official representative of CMR Surgical (UK), positions HDF and USJ as regional pioneers in robotic surgery.

Known for its versatility, the system is set to be applied across several key specialties, including minimally invasive procedures in colorectal, urological, gynecological, thoracic, and general surgeries. This advanced approach enhances precision and reduces recovery times, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers, marking a new era of healthcare excellence in Lebanon.

“We are thrilled to lead the way in advanced surgical care by introducing the CMR Versius® system at our hospital. This robot will enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients, further solidifying our commitment to excellence in healthcare,” said Mr. Nassib Nasr, CEO of Hôtel-Dieu de France.

The project also extends to the academic sector through a collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of Saint Joseph University, which will host a first of its kind dedicated animal lab training facility for robotic surgery in the region. This training hub will include an identical CMR Versius Surgical robot, separate from the hospital facility, and will serve not only Lebanese surgeons but also aspiring robotic surgeons from across the region.

 “This initiative will establish Lebanon as a reference point for surgical robotics training,” emphasized Prof. Elie Nemer, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Saint Joseph University and Head of the Urology Department at Hôtel-Dieu de France. “It will allow surgeons to gain invaluable hands-on experience with the most advanced surgical technology available to enhance performance on the patient and ensure that it’s never the first time on the patient; The first surgeries with the robotic system at HDF were successfully conducted on prostate cancer patients during February”.

“PROMEDZ and CMR Surgical worked closely with HDF and USJ to ensure the seamless integration of the Versius® system. This includes comprehensive training and support for medical teams and the launch of the “Train the Trainer” program, further emphasizing Lebanon’s strong position in the region” said Mr. Hady Bsat, Chairman of PROMEDZ.

Hôtel-Dieu de France welcomed representatives from YASA, PhamCare, and BabyBuzz for a meeting primarily aimed at donating ten car seats to the hospital’s pediatrics and maternity Departments.

Professor Bernard Gerbaka, Head of the Child Protection Unit at the USJ-HDF Network, welcomed the attending parties while emphasizing the importance of the thirty-year-long collaboration with YASA, dedicated to promoting child safety through education and training on car seat use. Special attention was also given to the Child Charter, the Child Protection Policy, and the health record booklet.

Mrs. Norma Aouad, Head of the Women-Mother-Child Division, highlighted the significance of educating families and expressed gratitude to the partners for their commitment. Mr. Ziad Akl, President of YASA, presented YASA’s mission and its continuous efforts in road safety across Lebanon and the Arab world. Additionally, Mrs. Zeina Suidan, Brand Director at PhamCare, and Mrs. Pamela Dfouny, Brand Director at BabyBuzz, stressed the crucial role of training and education in ensuring the success of this initiative while commending Hôtel-Dieu de France for its dedication to child protection.

Beyond the car seat donation, this meeting laid the groundwork for new concrete actions, including:

1. Proposing the generalization and institutionalization of the Neonatology Unit’s initiative, which ensures that every newborn leaves the hospital in a car seat. This would require a directive from the General Directorate to hospital services.
2. Incorporating car seat education for families before and after birth during visits and sessions organized by the Pediatrics and Maternity departments. The Child Protection Unit will invite YASA to the next family visit.
3. Providing and lending car seats to families welcoming their first baby who do not have one.
4. Meeting with the Minister of Health (and the Mother-Child Department of the MoH) to propose a ministerial directive to hospitals aimed at promoting and systematizing car seat use.

As a "baby-friendly hospital," Hôtel-Dieu de France reaffirms its commitment to the physical and psychological well-being of mothers and newborns through practices that prioritize medical safety, quality care, and compassion.