Governor of the Central Bank and Minister of Higher Education Inaugurate Several Medical Projects and Units at the National Cancer
In line with the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) developmental role to support the state’s efforts towards achieving sustainable development and enhancing citizens’ quality of life, and as part of its ongoing commitment to boost societal investments in vital priority sectors, with healthcare sector at the forefront, H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, and H.E. Dr. Abdelaziz Qonsoah, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated on Sunday several medical projects and units at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), affiliated with Cairo University. These newly inaugurated projects and units were renovated and equipped with the support of CBE and banks operating in Egypt, under the banking sector’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The Launching event was attended by Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University; Dr. Hossam Kamel, Former President of Cairo University; Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Moati Samra, Dean of the National Cancer Institute; Ms. Ghada Tawfik, Sub-Governor for Corporate Social Responsibility at the CBE; and Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; alongside a number of senior officials from the CBE and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
In this regard, the Governor and the Minister inaugurated the “Hossam Kamel” Bone Marrow Transplant Unit - founded by the pioneer of bone marrow transplantation, Dr. Hossam Kamel – along with the Hematology Unit in the Institute's southern building, following the completion of their renovation and equipping works supported by the CBE. This upgrade expands the units’ capacity to serve nearly 400 patients annually, which eliminates waiting lists for bone marrow transplant patients across the country.
Moreover, the Outpatient Clinics and Medical Services Complex was reopened following the completion of its renovation and equipping, comprising an integrated range of specialized clinics including, Surgical Oncology, Hematologic Oncology, Adult and Pediatric Solid Tumors, Radiotherapy, Pain Management, Dentistry, Electrocardiography (ECG) and Echocardiography (Echo), Clinical Nutrition, Early Diagnosis, Anesthesia, and Psychological Support. Collectively, these clinics serve approximately 1,500 patients daily.
The Governor of the CBE and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research also inspected the ongoing renovation and construction works at the Institute’s northern hospital and middle building. In addition, they toured a number of medical departments and units that have been upgraded and equipped with the latest medical devices and technologies, including the Inpatient Department, the Pediatric Day Care Unit, and the Women’s Health Unit, thereby enhancing the Institute’s capacity and improving the efficiency of diagnostic and treatment services provided to oncology patients.
These inaugurations reflect the continued progressive efforts to upgrade NCI, which incorporated, during a previous phase, the rehabilitation and upgrading works of the southern building and its equipment with the latest medical systems and advanced tools through the support of the CBE. This ongoing collaboration highlights the strong partnership between the banking sector and national institutions in supporting specialized healthcare services.
In this respect, H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, expressed his pleasure for visiting the NCI, which is recognized as the first and largest integrated academic center for cancer treatment in the Middle East and the Arab region, providing treatment services to pediatric and adult patients across a wide range of oncology specialties.
Mr. Abdalla emphasized that the contribution of the CBE and the banking sector to the development of this longstanding medical institution represents a model of integration among national institutions, aimed at elevating the quality of services provided to citizens. He also noted that supporting the healthcare sector is a top priority within the CBE’s CSR strategy, driven by its belief in the importance of investing in human capital as the fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
The Governor further added that the CBE adopts an integrated approach to CSR, aimed at supporting human development, as well as facilitating access to essential services and improving their quality, thereby achieving a sustainable developmental impact that positively affects the lives of citizens across various governorates, and aligns with Egypt’s direction towards building a prosperous and more sustainable society.
For his part, Dr. Abdelaziz Qonsoah, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, extended his gratitude to Mr. Hassan Abdalla, commending the banking sector’s vital support to all university hospitals, which has significantly enhanced their performance and strengthened their capacity to serve nearly 32 million patients annually. The Minister further praised the banking sector's substantial support to the NCI, which facilitated the development of the Outpatient Clinics Complex, the renovation and rehabilitation of the Bone Marrow Transplant and Hematology Units in the northern building, and the upgrading and equipping of the southern building. He also noted that ongoing works are underway to upgrade and equip both the northern hospital and the middle building, alongside the expansion and development of the Breast Cancer Hospital in the First Settlement, including its equipping with an advanced radiotherapy device.
Dr. Qonsoah also praised the continuous efforts to advance the Institute’s performance, commending the services provided by NCI, which is recognized as the oldest and most prestigious specialized academic oncology center in the Arab region. He also highlighted that NCI plays a pivotal role in offering comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to cancer patients, actively participates in several Presidential Health Initiatives, implements early detection programs for various types of cancer, and provides specialized care through its Outpatient Clinics.
