A new state-of-the-art obstetrics department named the Dr. Robert Sacy Mother-and-Child Unit was officially inaugurated on Thursday at the Quarantine University Governmental Hospital in Beirut.
The launch ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassereddine, French Ambassador Hervé Magro, and numerous local and international partners. Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari was represented by Rajih al-Otaibi.
The facility, completely renovated following the devastating Beirut Port explosion on August 4, 2020, now offers modern maternal and neonatal care. It is part of Lebanon’s broader effort to rebuild and strengthen its public healthcare infrastructure amid mounting sectoral pressure.
A Milestone for Maternal and Child Health
Designed to provide free or affordable access to high-quality healthcare, the unit symbolizes renewed hope for underserved families. It is staffed by a dedicated team of eight midwives, seven obstetric surgeons and four resident doctors, and is equipped to handle 2,000 hospitalizations and over 25,000 consultations annually. The 90-bed facility covers prenatal, postnatal and pediatric services.
Health Minister Nassereddine hailed the new unit as a “vital achievement” and paid tribute to France and Saudi Arabia for their critical financial and logistical support. “This inauguration marks a significant leap forward in our efforts to create a modern, safe and inclusive healthcare environment for mothers and children, the foundation of our nation’s future,” he said.
French Ambassador Magro echoed the sentiment, saying the moment “embodies our collective commitment, alongside our Lebanese and Saudi partners, to expanding access to quality care for women and children in Lebanon,” reaffirming France’s support through the French Development Agency (FDA).
Honoring Dr. Robert Sacy’s Legacy
The unit is named after Dr. Robert Sacy, a renowned pediatrician and philanthropist who passed away in May 2024. In 2016, Dr. Sacy founded the hospital’s pediatric wing with the backing of the Carlos Slim Foundation and ASSAMEH – Birth & Beyond. His mission, that “no child should be turned away from a hospital due to lack of money or space,” now extends to mothers through this new service.
Dr. Sacy’s legacy lives on through the hospital’s continued focus on equitable access to care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A Collaborative Effort
The €6-million project was implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health, with core funding from the AFD and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief). The Pierre Fabre Foundation oversaw the execution, working closely with ASSAMEH – Birth & Beyond and the Order of Malta Lebanon.
The initiative also benefited from a broad coalition of partners, including the Republic of Cyprus, the Fouad Boutros family, Rotary Clubs, UNICEF, UNFPA, La Chaîne de l’Espoir, the Lyon-Beirut Solidarity Collective, the French Red Cross, the IECD and multiple private donors, notably the Carlos Slim Foundation.
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