Manama: Bahrain paid rich tribute to an Egypt-based child cancer hospital for dedicating efforts to the medical treatment of children and for researching the causes and treatment of malignant and fatal diseases.
The Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357, located in the Egyptian capital Cairo, is the biggest hospital specialised in children’s cancer in the world.
The number 57357 was the bank account number which accepted donations from the public to build the hospital that opened in 2007.
The hospital was honoured in Manama on Saturday evening by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa after it was awarded the Isa Award for Services to Humanity (2015-2017).
“We are pleased to extend our sincere congratulations to Dr Amr Ezzat Salameh, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and to the hospital and its staff on the Isa Award for Service to Humanity,” King Hamad said in his address. “We extend our thanks and appreciation for their compassionate efforts and wish them every success in their future work.”
King Hamad paid tribute to the late Emir Shaikh Eisa who ruled Bahrain from 1961 to 1999, saying that he “became a symbol of this nation, and whose noble qualities and values guided the country’s pride and glory.
“His Highness led the kingdom’s journey of development for three decades, during which there was a significant shift in the nation’s political, economic and social development. We attach great pride and appreciation to the role played by this prestigious award in serving humanity. It has transcended borders and has truly achieved the purpose for which it was established: to commemorate the father of the nation. The award embodies His Highness’ humility and kindness, his closeness to his people, and his charitable nature to help those in need, which earned him the love, respect and appreciation of all.”
The award also represents the enduring character of Bahrainis as people of harmony, brotherhood, religious coexistence and culture, who serve humanity and contribute to the progress of human well-being, King Hamad added.
Eisa Award for Services to Humanity Board of Trustees’ Chairman Shaikh Mohammad Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said that the award “has become an international award for those in the field of humanitarian service who bring hope to the needy wherever they are.”
“The award is for those who restore happiness, hope and opportunity and who save others from suffering, pain and destitution,” Shaikh Mohammad, also Bahrain’s Deputy Premier, said. “Whether these individuals are part of organisations or associations, what unites and motivates them is the same faith and selflessness. It is their allegiance to the noble values that underpin this award.”
Explaining the selection of the hospital as the laureate for the biennial award, the jury said that it “appeared to us unanimously as meeting all the criteria outlined in the royal decree that instituted the Award.”
“The idea to build a hospital with these characteristics appeared in 1999 but only in 2007 it was possible to finish it,” Luis Amado, a jury member said.
“It is the result of many individual and institutional donations and contributions, functioning like a non-governmental organisation, being the largest hospital of its kind in Egypt and in the region. To contribute to the alleviation of children’s suffering is the noblest task a human being can assume and that is the daily purpose of the institution that we decided to award today.”
Hospital 57357 Board of Trustees Chairman Dr Amr Salama said that the hospital has managed to cure 75 per cent of the child patients. The hospital has 320 beds, far ahead of the next largest hospital with 120 beds.
“The objective is to increase it to at least 80 per cent with the introduction of new technologies and with the progress in the field,” Salama said at a press conference.
The hospital has succeeded to cure 17,000 children since it was launched in 2007.
The $1 million cash award will be used to fund research and expand the hospital.
Hospital 57357 was chosen as the recipient for the award from a list of 137 applicants in a selection process that lasted two years. The applications were narrowed down to five names before the Egyptian hospital was declared the winner.
