OMV Petrom Foundation invests 5 million euros in Romanian newborn support program

The OMV Petrom Foundation has allocated 5 million euros for the fourth edition of the ‘Cutia Bebelușului’ (Baby Box) program. Implemented in partnership with the SAMAS Association and Save the Children Romania, the initiative aims to support 10,000 mothers and newborns across 1,135 vulnerable communities in 24 Romanian counties.

By the end of this phase, the program expects to have assisted a total of 35,900 families. Each kit contains 65 essential products for hygiene, nutrition, and clothing for both mother and infant. The inclusion of a mattress is specifically designed to provide a safe sleeping space to reduce accidental suffocation risks in crowded households.

The program addresses significant healthcare disparities in Romania, where rural infant mortality rates are higher than urban ones and nearly 28% of pregnancies lack prenatal monitoring. The initiative also provides access to medical information and professional guidance to combat social exclusion and improve neonatal health outcomes.