The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) recently announced the opening of its renovated state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, after expanding the existing one and significantly adding to its number of beds.

Many members of AUB and AUBMC leadership team participated in the opening ceremony including Peter Dorman, President of AUB; Dr. Mohamed H. Sayegh, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at AUB; Dr. Miguel Abboud, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at AUB, and Dr. Khalid Yunis, Head of the Division of Neonatology at AUBMC. Parents of newborns who were treated at the previous NICU at AUBMC were also present to share in the opening.

President Dorman stated that “this unit has catered to the needs of more than a thousand babies from Lebanon and the region who suffered from different health problems, from countries such as Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, KSA, and also Canada and the United States.” He also noted that the unit “includes specialists in neonatology, cardiologists, radiologists, and specialized nurses. Together, these specialists are able to deal with the most complex cases and the youngest of babies.”

In his word, Dr. Sayegh stated that “the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be able to serve more families, while providing them with the highest standards of quality care.”

Dr. Miguel Abboud expressed his joy at the opening of the unit and recognized the efforts of all those involved in making this renovated state-of-the-art NICU possible.

Dr. Yunis added that the unit will have “special rooms where the parents can spend time with their babies before they are healthy enough to go home” explaining that “this unit has been a dream for many years, and today it became a reality, with 21 beds, and more space to care for more babies in the future.”  He also announced the initiation of “The Neonate Fund,” a charitable initiative that supports at risk newborns. The Neonate Fund was established by five mothers whose newborns required immediate medical attention and were treated at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at AUBMC.