Donation of Car Seats to the Pediatrics and Maternity Departments

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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.