Five years have passed since the tragedy of August 4, 2020, and Hôtel-Dieu de France has once again reaffirmed its commitment to the memory of this painful tragedy by holding a moment of reflection and silence in tribute to the victims and in solidarity with their families.

A prayer was held at 3:00 PM in front of the hospital’s Emergency Department, a silent witness to the first moments of the catastrophe.

The commemoration featured a speech by the Chairman of the Board of Hôtel-Dieu de France and Rector of Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Professor Salim Daccache s.j., in the presence of the hospital’s medical, nursing, and administrative teams.

“Dear members of the medical, nursing, caregiving, administrative, and logistics staff of Hôtel-Dieu de France–Saint Joseph University,

Dear people of Beirut, city of scars and grace,
You who still hold onto the belief that light will outshine the shadows, and that truth will one day triumph over silence.

Today, we come together in the face of sorrow, in memory of the souls taken too soon on that tragic evening of August 4, 2020.

We are standing not only before the Emergency Department of this hospital, but also before the deep wound of a nation, before Beirut’s unending cry, before mothers seeking answers, and before children who grew up with the painful memory of fathers torn away in a moment of betrayal.

We gather today carrying a silence filled with prayer, a grief burdened with anger, and an unshakable faith in divine justice, human justice, and the justice of our homeland—Lebanon.

This explosion was neither fate nor a natural disaster. It was the result of chronic corruption, criminal negligence, hidden complicity in the halls of power, and an irresponsible silence that suffocated truth as it suffocated lives.

From here from this very place that received hundreds of wounded and victims—we raise a cry in the name of conscience:
Enough postponements of justice, enough manipulation of the investigation, enough suppression of the truth.

Five years have gone by, and no one has taken responsibility for this heinous crime.

Where is the truth? Where is the courage to judge those who caused this tragedy or stayed silent in the face of danger?

Today, we demand the immediate and full release of the judicial investigation.

We are in a new era, with a new president and a new government.

We call for complete transparency, free from political interference or sectarian pressure.

We demand a fair trial and rightful legal compensation for the families of the martyrs—not scattered donations, but rights granted with dignity, in recognition of those who paid with their lives for the State’s silence.

Beirut is not asking for pity Beirut is asking for justice.

And there will be no resurrection for Lebanon unless justice becomes the foundation of its rebuilding.

We want a country where crime is not rewarded with silence, where tragedy is not reduced to a passing commemoration.

We will not surrender our hearts to despair. We are children of faith, hope, and resurrection resurrection that comes after death, pain, and the cross.

Beirut, city of saints and martyrs, city of divine calling, will not die.
It will rise again, stronger than ever.

We still believe that every human being deserves life, dignity, and truth.

I bow in respect we bow in respect to the souls of the 262 martyrs of August 4, and I send my love and prayers to the wounded and their families.

I renew to them this promise:
We will never forget, and we will not give up until the truth is revealed and justice is delivered to its rightful heirs.

Let us come together in this pain, and turn it into a lasting commitment, into a noble messagefor Beirut and for Lebanon.”

As part of its public health mission and commitment to medical excellence, Hôtel-Dieu de France officially launched its new Medical Center in Antelias on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. This strategic opening reflects a clear intent to expand access to high-quality specialized care closer to patients.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Mr. Nassib Nasr, Director General of the USJ-HDF Hospital Network. Several medical and administrative leaders from Hôtel-Dieu de France also attended the event.

In his speech, Mr. Nassib Nasr stated:
"Today marks our first official visit to the new Antelias Medical Center, the first Hôtel-Dieu de France facility located outside the Achrafieh district. This center began operating on November 1, 2024. Since then, it has been fully equipped with modern infrastructure, staffed with trained nursing and administrative teams, and all physicians wishing to practice here have been duly registered.

The value of this center lies in its ability to facilitate access to care while relieving pressure and patient load at the main hospital, particularly for laboratory tests, medical examinations, and consultations. Given the current traffic challenges, this facility represents a major step forward in bringing medical services closer to patients, easing their travel burdens, and saving time and energy.

The opening of the Antelias Center marks the beginning of a broader project, with additional centers planned soon, including one in Damour. This will allow for better geographical coverage, from the north (Antelias) to the south (Damour) of Beirut. Such a strategy further strengthens Hôtel-Dieu de France’s position as a leading reference hospital, renowned for the quality of its care, its personnel, and its expertise.

The new Antelias Medical Center stands out with its modern, functional, and welcoming environment. It brings together medical expertise, advanced technology, and accessibility to provide patients with top-tier care, without straying far from their homes.

Hôtel-Dieu de France is proud of its collaboration with the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, a cooperation that illustrates its commitment to promoting excellence in healthcare and training.

In this context, the Pharmacy Department of the CHU de Nice welcomed the team from the Pharmacy Department of the Hôtel-Dieu de France.

During the week, theoretical and practical training was organized around several key themes, including chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition and innovative drugs.

This partnership aims to enhance the skills of Hôtel-Dieu de France professionals and promote the sharing of expertise between hospital institutions.

In line with its mission of “Doing now what patients need next,” Roche Lebanon SARL has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital and Saint Joseph University in Beirut. The signing ceremony, held at the hospital premises in Beirut, reaffirmed the strength of this strategic alliance aimed at elevating the healthcare sector in Lebanon through sustained collaboration.

The renewed MoU further anchors a framework of joint initiatives across a range of priority areas, including innovation and research, medical education, patient experience and support, medical tourism, and digitization and technology. It also marks an expansion of the collaboration into new disease areas and within the broader network of HDF/USJ-affiliated institutions.

The memorandum was signed by Professor Salim Daccache s.j., Rector of Saint-Joseph University of Beirut; Dr. Carole Hassoun, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals Levant; and Mr. Nassib Nasr, General Manager of Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital.

“Signing this memorandum for a second year is a privilege and a testament to the strength of our shared belief that we can improve human health through partnership,” said Dr. Carole Hassoun. “The foundation of trust and synergy we’ve built with Hôtel-Dieu de France and Saint Joseph University over the past year has been invaluable. We are driven by the idea that the rigorous pursuit of science can transform lives, and as we deepen our collaboration, we will continue to combine our expertise to push boundaries and bring breakthrough healthcare solutions to patients in Lebanon.”

Prof Salim Daccache said: “We are extremely satisfied with the partnership with Roche. This renewal underscores the long-term vision of all parties to foster a culture of continuous learning and research excellence in Lebanon. It also opens new avenues for cross-disciplinary collaboration, ensuring that future healthcare solutions are both cutting-edge and locally relevant.”

“This MoU goes beyond a simple partnership,” added Mr. Nassib Nasr, “Its strength lies in the dynamism, efficiency, and professionalism of the teams involved, and in the variety of interactive and productive committees from both sides that have enabled us to bring these pillars to life.”

The renewed agreement highlights the shared belief that meaningful progress in the industry requires collective effort. In an increasingly complex and evolving healthcare landscape—especially amid Lebanon’s current challenges—collaboration between academia and medical institutions is more critical than ever.

By joining forces, Roche and Hôtel-Dieu de France / Saint-Joseph University of Beirut reaffirm their commitment to co-developing solutions that are innovative, patient-centered, and sustainable. These partnerships enable the alignment of science, clinical expertise, and real-world implementation, paving the way for healthcare advancements that better serve patients and strengthen the overall system.

For more than 75 years, Roche Lebanon has been instrumental in strengthening the country's healthcare landscape. In the face of ongoing challenges in Lebanon and the wider region, the company remains firmly dedicated to building meaningful partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem. By harnessing its expertise and innovative capabilities, Roche continues to deliver impactful solutions that support both patients and healthcare professionals. These collaborations not only aim to ensure the resilience and longevity of the healthcare system but also to reinforce Lebanon’s role as a regional leader in medical advancement.