On the occasion of the Independence Day, the General Director, M. Nassib Nasr, declared that during 2021, Independence Day really lost its symbolism. However, despite the crises in the country, the Lebanese people have never lost hope.

Our attitude as Lebanese is the main key to give some hope for our fellow citizens. Hôtel-Dieu de France keep always the mission to build a stronger and healthier nation.

In order to celebrate the Independence Day, Hôtel-Dieu de France invited the medical and administrative staff on November 19, 2021 at 4:30 pm to attend the flag raising ceremony and to sing the national anthem at the main entrance of the hospital.

It is a joy today to see the people of Hôtel-Dieu de France come together, its medical and nursing staff, as well as its administrative and operational personnel, to celebrate together, despite its faded outer appearance, the independence whose flame and what it means for sovereignty, prosperity, and love among citizens and unity between them, is still alight, and what happened on October 17, 2019, is a proof that the revolt for full independence remains in minds and souls.  Hearts and souls do not keep from us and do not keep from you the country's condition that you are familiar with and that has been triggered by those to whom we have entrusted the administrative responsibility, our belongings and our identity, as well as the condition of the neglected operational institutions. Therefore, the situation of its workers urges us to be vigilant so that our educational, academic and hospital institutions remain the pillar of this homeland, defending the right of the homeland and all citizens, away from any form of submission and abandonment of our national values! It is a joy that brings us together, yet it is mixed with sorrow and even frustration as we see our sovereignty fall to this point. For sovereignty is not only about preserving borders. In fact, the frontier region is violated by an enemy outside the borders and a friend inside the Lebanese territory. Sovereignty has above all an inviolable character for the people and their economic and social protection, so they are not turned into civil servants and slaves, but on the contrary, they are free and masters, not one over the other, but rather masters over those who want to humiliate and harm them.

Finally, I salute all the martyrs who sacrificed themselves for a land that became a land of peace, especially the martyrs of our noblest Lebanese army and the Lebanese security forces, in addition to the martyrs who struggled to achieve justice, eliminate injustice and eradicate corruption!  Our blood has been shed in abundance for this country, which we will not leave as a prey to the enemies of humanity!

Happy Independence Day and may the heavy clouds disperse so that we can all enjoy the independence days of a beloved homeland and deep-rooted cedars in this land.

On the fifth November 2021, Hôtel-Dieu de France signed a memorandum of understanding with "Fondation Diane " concerning the establishment of a social pediatric clinic intended in particular for those who need it, in the presence of the President of the Board of Directors Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., the president of Fondation Diane, Diana Fadel, as well as the team working in the foundation and the medical and administrative framework of HDF.

Given the seriousness of the current situation, this initiative is considered important, due to the high cost of medical care on the one hand, the deterioration of the health sector in Lebanon on the other hand, as well as the mass migration of  doctors and nurses and the spread of Covid-19.

Ms.Fadel delivered a speech highlighting the commitment of Fondation Diane to facilitating access to high-quality medical care for all children in Lebanon without discrimination, affirming that Healthy children are most likely to grow into healthy adults, and constitute a healthy society. Ms. Fadel concluded, “I believe in the success of this project”.It is the least you can expect when you have full confidence in a faithful and professional health institution! Finally, Ms. Diana thanked Hôtel-Dieu team for their efforts and dedication.

For his part, Prof. Salim Daccache s.j confirmed that: "the social responsibility of this initiative gives it a fundamental value." This social pediatric clinic plays a very important role, since families in financial distress will be able to provide their children with medical needs. He also reiterated his thanks to Fondation Diane, which took the initiative to develop the project plan, and highlighted the determination of its president and team to the success of the project.

One year after the Beirut port explosion that shook the capital, Hôtel-Dieu de France still remembers the night of August 4, when it found itself in the midst of a bloody and devastated Beirut.In commemoration of this horrific tragedy, the hospital organized on August 3, 2021, at 6:07 p.m., a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims, the injured and their families in front of the Emergency Department that has witnessed the tragedy of that night.

The ceremony began with a minute of silence at 6:07 pm, followed by the National Anthem and candle-lighting in front of the Emergency Department, in the presence of Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., Rector of Saint Joseph University of Beirut and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hôtel-Dieu de France, the Board of Directors of Hôtel-Dieu de France, the Board of Directors of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, the families of the injured and the victims, in addition to doctors, nurses and hospital staff.

Prof. Salim Daccache s.j., delivered a speech in which he conveyed all the pain and tragic memories that this date evokes: 

« August 4, the day of a devastated Beirut that witnessed the death and injury of its dearest people. It is true that August 4 is the day of the explosion, the explosion of hatred, carelessness and criminality. However, August 4 brought forth a flame, the flame of giving and offering care to the injured and martyred, the flame of the sacrifices of doctors, nurses, student doctors, administrative employees and every member of our hospitals, namely Hôtel-Dieu de France's staff, who were mobilized and still are mobilized to give their best to save patients. [...] August 4, 2020, brings us every day a flame that does not fade away, the flame of the restoration of sovereignty, the sovereignty over the port of Beirut, over Beirut and over all Lebanon, it brings us the flame of the restoration of justice without which the country cannot rise, without which the State, the so-called Lebanese State, the Lebanese Republic, the Lebanese Homeland and the Lebanese Nation cannot rise again, the flame of justice for those who are no longer among us, those who want to know who had prepared them this heinous crime and this evil attack. [...] ».

At the end of the ceremony, the facade of the hospital was illuminated in red in memory of the blood of the victims.