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"Once again, the Hadassah Medical Organization (HMO) has stood up and met the need that was absolutely necessary for the people of Jerusalem and the entire country by providing new beds and a new Maternity C to make sure that every woman who wants to have a baby has a place at Hadassah," said immediate past Hadassah National President Rhoda Smolow, who represented current president Carol Ann Schwartz and cut the red ribbon at the dedication ceremony for the new Maternity C Department in the Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem.
Israel is the only country in the Western world experiencing a baby boom. Every incentive program in Western countries to boost childbirth has failed long-term. In Israel, where families faced the challenges of war and economic disruption, the number of babies born has risen sharply, and of all of Israel’s major cities, Jerusalem acts as Israel’s "birth capital" by sheer volume, accounting for roughly 14 percent of all births in the country.
"By the end of this year, the two HMO campuses are expected to welcome over 21,000 births,” said Dalia Itzik, chair of HMO’s Board of Directors. “This is also a historic milestone for HMO. For the first time, we are expected to rank first in all hospitals in Israel in the number of births."
Numbers alone don’t tell the story. Many of the young mothers have had long periods of solo parenting with husbands away at the front.
Dr. David Shveiky, director of the Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said, "What makes me most proud is that improved facilities allow more women to experience and benefit from the professional, dedicated and compassionate care given by our remarkable teams here every day and night."
HMO Director General Prof. Yoram Weiss thanked Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), for its support: "We would not have been able to achieve this milestone without the opening and renovation of the Round Building, which is a strategic event for Hadassah Ein Kerem and the hospital in general."
One of the earliest concerns of HWZOA was maternal health. The arrival of Hadassah’s first nurses in 1913 vastly improved maternal and infant health by introducing modern public health nursing, establishing the region's first specialized welfare station and providing essential nutrition and hygiene education to mothers.”
"113 years later, we’re dedicating this dazzling new department," said Smolow.
Maternity C head nurse Rachel Rasslan added, "Today is one of those moments that we can look at with pride. As we start the new year, may we always have the privilege of accompanying new beginnings."
