Beiruting News

Wednesday, December 5th , Beirut - Milupa-Aptamil, the global leading producer of medically and scientifically supported infant and toddler milk, in partnership with LASSA - the Lebanese Association for School Safety Awareness, YASA group for public safety, Child of Lebanon -the Lebanese Institute for Children Rights, and the Syndicate of Professional Nurseries in Lebanon, launched the 'Safety Guide for Children from 1 to 6 years old'. The guide contains important advice and information that educate parents on safety habits to protect theirchildren everywhere and whatever they are doing, from the house through to the playground, the nursery, the road and the school.


The guide was launched at a press conference and a symposium held under the patronage of his Excellency the minister of Health Ali Hassan Khalil and attended by over 400 pediatricians.

Mr. Marc Awwad Milupa-Aptamil Lebanon Country Manager, Prof. Bernard Gerbaka, president of Child of Lebanon, Mr Ziad Akl President of YASA, Mr Joe Dakkash President of LASSA, Mr Mikael Haddad founder of Shield Association and victim of a childhood injury, Mr Charbel Abi Nader president of the Syndicate of Professional Nurseries, Mme Carole Richmani Aptamil- Milupa Field Sales Manager, Dr Houssam Bitar representative of His Excellency the Ministerof Public Health, exposed the high rate of childhood incidences in Lebanon, discussed the significance of prioritizing children's safety and health inside out, and suggested ways for parents to maximize their awareness and practice of safety measures.


"Our mission is to protect babies from the inside by strengthening their immunity; today we are committed to protect them from the inside and the outside", said Mr. Marc Awwad of Milupa-Aptamil.


"As parents and child care-takers, child advocates and health promoters, we embrace our children and their safety and well being, stand by them as we are them and they are us, a present to the future", added Prof. Bernard Gerbeka.

In Lebanon, traffic related injuries are the first reason of death of children and young people aged from five to thirty years. "After the new campaigns that we are launching in line with the new traffic law, our mission is to educate, influence, promote road safety and raise publicawareness on the prevention of road related unintentional injuries", affirmed Mr Ziad Akl of YASA.


Joe Daccache of LASSA said: The guide will be distributed to parents in January in pediatricians' clinics, nurseries, hospitals and schools across Lebanon, and further promoted through the network of participating NGOs to help in raising parents' awareness around the dangers facing their children and the best practices to keep them safe and secure.


Mr Abi Nader from the Syndicate of Professional Nurseries in Lebanon, confirmed the willingness of the syndicate in providing necessary efforts for the success of this campaign.


Mr Mikael Haddad, founder of Shield Association, participated in the talks and relayed his childhood injury experience which was due to lack of precaution however did not stop him from continuing a successful life journey.


Dr Bitar said: "The Ministry of Public Health looks favorably at a large number of civil NGOs and is reaching out for cooperation and assistance to reduce risks before they occur, particularly where those associations are implementing the scientific studies and researches provided by the Ministry in cooperation with international institutions such as WHO and UNDP".


The guide will be distributed to parents in January in pediatricians' clinics, nurseries, hospitals and schools across Lebanon, and further promoted through the network of participating NGOs to help in raising parents' awareness around the dangers facing their children and the best practices to keep them safe and secure.


Being the key advisor and the reference for mothers in regards to children security, immunity and protection, Milupa-Aptamil counts on collaboration and commitment from parents, doctors, teachers and nurseries to take the proper steps to drive children's safety in Lebanonand help in promoting this safety guide as a real reference in children protection.