Pope Donates Peace Prize to Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt 57357

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Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and the Patriarch of All Africa on the Holy Apostolic See of Saint Mark the Evangelist of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, was awarded by the city of Augsburg, Germany their Peace Prize for his commitment to ecumenism and leadership in inter-denominational dialogue, including relations between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.

The prize will be officially delivered to His Holiness by a senior and prominent member of the Anglican Church, Wolfgang Huber, within a large celebration taking place on the 10th of December in the golden hall of the city’s town hall.

The Pope in turn will be donating his award of nearly US$17,000 to Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357. Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE) 57357 is the largest freestanding pediatric cancer hospital in the world. It was built and is being sustained completely by donations. In operation since July, 2007, it has quickly become recognized as a leader in providing a new level of quality healthcare in Egypt which is world class and where are all children are treated free of charge without discrimination to race, creed or ability to pay.

Despite being the largest free standing pediatric cancer hospital in the world, CCHE has been at 99% capacity since beginning operation. With 187 beds, they only meet the needs of 1 out of every 4 Egyptian children newly diagnosed with cancer. CCHE must expand to adequately meet the need for world class care. Their expansion project will allow the hospital to serve 75% of children newly diagnosed with cancer in Egypt. With a 5-year survival rate of 79%, compared to the Egyptian average of 40%, significantly more lives can be saved. The 250 bed expansion will be designed using the latest technology for green, solar power and waste and water management. CCHE will add a unit for brain tumor patients which is the second most common pediatric malignancy making CCHE a regional center of excellence. This unit will have 6 highly specialized operating rooms, intensive care and patient unit. An estimated 5000 people of all skill levels (primarily youth) will be employed in the construction phase. 120 Egyptian and international companies will be contracted and 2000 healthcare professionals and support staff will be hired and trained.

Time and again, in the desire to transform and improve their communities, the youth in Egypt are reaching out to the icons of change for support and expertise. Nearly 250 members of the newly instituted “Academic Group” of Kasr Eil Aini Medical School were welcomed at Children’s Cancer Hospital of Egypt (CCHE) 57357 for a week of intensive training on topics ranging from pediatric oncology and research to Fundraising. This academic group was formed in the aftermath of the revolution as a reformation initiative for the medical training. Kasr Eil Aini strives to improve overall research and clinical skills by bridging the gap between students and professors.

The program at CCHE 57357 was more than a series of lectures. It was an opportunity to be acquainted with a new kind of healthcare system in Egypt. The hospital employs experiential learning as a way to engage future leaders. For example, half of the students attending the research workshop will continue to work closely with the hospital staff to develop research papers, which will be vetted by Harvard visiting scholars.

Here’s what the students had to say about this unique experience:

“Being within the walls of this great hospital serves as a reminder to never lose faith. Egyptians are capable of great accomplishments once they set their minds on achieving them. Everything is possible. One just has to seek the right opportunities or create them. Being here expanded not only my clinical interests, but also my understanding of the pursuit of excellence in quality care for all, and compassion by all.” — Heba Mahmoud (6th year medical student)

“I am impressed by CCHE 57357’s vision, benchmarking of standards, and continuous process improvement. I’m excited to be part of this team, which has taken my learning experience to new levels.” — Alaa Obeida (5th year medical student)

CCHE 57357’s approach with Kasr Eil Aini medical students is typical of their holistic approach to education and training. They are the first hospital in Egypt to offer a school program for their patients, an Internal Review Board for their researchers, full time employment for their physicians, free continuing education for their staff, and health & wellness campaigns for the public.

Way to go CCHE 57357. You rock!