SHARJAH: The Big Heart Foundation, a Sharjah-based global humanitarian charity, announced on Tuesday that it would donate Dh33 million to renovate the 13-storey building of the National Cancer Institute in Cairo, Egypt’s capital.
The donation was announced under the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the support of his wife, Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Big Heart Foundation [TBHF].
The institute is one of the largest and most advanced oncology and medical care centres in Egypt and North Africa. It provides medical care to more than 250,000 patients a year, and 85 per cent of Egyptians receive treatment free of charge.
The support is the largest single donation received by the NCI in its almost 50-year history.
Shaikha Jawaher said the donation reinforces the extensive relationship between the UAE and Egypt, where health care and medical assistance have been a priority.
“The support coincides with the UAE’s celebration of the Year of Zayed and the holy month of Ramadan. Shaikh Zayed [Bin Sultan Ak Nahyan’s] love of Egypt demonstrated the importance he placed on Arab solidarity and humanitarianism and his efforts to alleviate the suffering of the needy, the vulnerable and the sick, so that they enjoy decent living, away from suffering, hardship and pain,” she said.
The work will increase the capacities of the hospital and outpatient clinic, improve the level of services provided to patients, reduce waiting lists and focus on treating children with various cancers, in addition to expanding free services.
“The projects carried out by TBHF are not limited to providing emergency relief or humanitarian assistance, but also to implementing sustainable projects that have a continuous impact and that bring real change to assist communities. The NCI in Egypt is one of the most prominent medical centres to address cancer, where tens of thousands of patients benefit from its services every year, especially those who are unable to pay for their own treatment,” said Mariam Al Hammadi, director of the Big Heart Foundation.
The budget allocated by the foundation will cover a period of two years for construction and architectural work, new offices and furniture, equipment, electrical work, lighting improvement, communication, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as the implementation of sewage and water pipe networks plus medical gas systems.
Shaikha Jawaher said that the grant to the institute is in line with the foundation’s vision to provide free treatment and health and psychological care to children in particular, as well as supporting research. The institute offers the perfect location for research and development as it is part of Cairo University, and employs a large number of academics and researchers.
The National Cancer Institute was founded in 1969, and primarily focuses on cancer treatment, educating and training physicians and students, and theoretical and practical research. The institute is currently working on the development of a genetic map for each type of cancer in Egypt, starting with liver, breast and colon cancers, which are the most common among Egyptians.
