First Lady Melania Trump attended a conference at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she met with mothers and newborn babies who have been affected by the opioid crisis. She toured the Philadelphia hospital’s intensive care unit for newborns and visited with mothers who are in the medical facility’s treatment program, according to VOA News. Jefferson has been treating patients for drug use and overdose for the past 45 years.
Trump spoke to the attendees of the conference and thanked the hospital staff for all they are doing “for this very important issue” and discussed her own “Be Best” campaign in examining the effects the crisis has on children.
“I’m grateful to the medical professionals who have been taking the time to explain their research and their impressive efforts in this field,” she said. “There are few things harder than seeing a newborn suffer and I’m anxious to do all I can to help shine a light on this epidemic.” She also praised the Trump administration for raising awareness of this issue.
Mrs. Trump continued, “As the caretakers of the next generation, it is our responsibility to protect our most valuable and vulnerable: our children.”
The first lady was briefly delayed from attending the event when her plane was forced to return to Andrews Air Force after smoke began to fill the cabin. It was later discovered to be a mechanical problem.
Mrs. Trump’s spokesperson Stephanie Grisham told the AP that “everyone is fine and everyone is safe.”
You can watch Mrs. Trump’s remarks below: