What’s in a name?

Apparently a lot, according to Sagal Radio’s director Hussien Mohamed.

In the United States, it is custom to put the father’s last name as a newborn’s surname on the birth certificate, but this is not the norm for all cultures. In certain African countries such as Somalia and Ethiopia, a child’s surname reflects a family’s lineage. When an upset father shared with Hussien about an error in his child's birth certificate over a year ago, it prompted Hussien to contact the Georgia Department of Health and Human Services and the Office for Civil Rights. He has been involved with this issue for the past year, and he shares how his discussions resulted in a series of initiatives aimed at growing awareness and sensitivity of cultural practices in hospitals.

The Office of Vital Records sent out abulletinto area hospitals about the important considerations in entering a child's surname on birth certificates. It would normally cost a family $250 to correct a mistake on the birth certificate, but now parents can send a copy of the birth certificate with the changes they wish to make and send it to the address below for correction free of charge:

Changes Unit, Office of Vita Records

2600 Skyland Drive NE

Atlanta, GA 30319