Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, chairwoman of the board of trustees of Children's Cancer Hospital 57357, inaugurated the hospital's cyclotron and bone marrow transplant units, Reem Leila reports The inauguration was attended by People's Assembly Speaker and deputy chairman of the board of trustees Fathi Sorour, Health Minister Hatem El-Gabali, Cairo Governor Abdel-Azim Wazir, President of Cairo University Hossam Kamel and Ola Ghabour, the hospital's secretary-general. Mrs Mubarak, who laid the cornerstone of the two units, lauded the efforts exerted on behalf of the relevant hospital's members, civil community and businessmen. Mrs Mubarak said the cyclotron unit, equipped with Egypt's second PT scan device which uses radioactive isotopes to detect early cancer in patients, will help in reducing side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. "It will also help in increasing the percentage of patients overcoming this serious illness," stated Mrs Mubarak. The bone marrow transplant unit, which held a soft opening in January, is equipped with nine beds with an annual capacity of 80 patients. "Twenty-five patients have successfully undergone bone marrow transplants starting from January 2010," explained Mrs Mubarak. During the inauguration, Mrs Mubarak expressed her happiness with 57357. "I am proud of Egypt Children's Cancer Hospital 57357, a medical edifice in Egypt and the Middle East. It is a symbol of unity and solidarity of all Egyptians who contributed to its establishment." Mrs Mubarak stressed the importance of having the same solidarity while building the new National Cancer Institute in 6 October governorate covering 50 feddans. Buildings will be built horizontally and will house as a first step 360 beds. "The complex will offer a unique medical service treating one of the most dangerous illnesses in the world," said Mrs Mubarak. It will also include research and training centres, a residence for doctors and nurses, and a special department for early diagnosis and educational services in cancer to create a new generation of doctors trained in dealing with the illness, she added. "Individuals, businessmen and civil society should donate whatever money they can to finish this project as soon as possible," Mrs Mubarak said. "I have asked the president of Cairo University to set up a fund on the university's campus where all students, professors, employees and workers can donate. The university's alumni are welcomed to donate their money, effort and time to speed up the construction process," added Mrs Mubarak. During the inauguration, Mrs Mubarak handed out several honorary certificates to staff working at 57357 to express her gratitude for their efforts since the hospital was built. At the same time, two cancer patients presented to Mrs Mubarak their drawings showing their appreciation for the hospital and Mrs Mubarak's efforts. Ghabour also gave Mrs Mubarak the hospital shield expressing the hospital's deepest thanks. After the inauguration, Mrs Mubarak headed to the Abul-Reesh Children's Hospital to grant financial donations to renovate the hospital's cardiology surgeries section. "There's a big difference between the 57357 hospital and Abul-Reesh. The hospital is facing several problems but we will work on improving it in cooperation with Magdi Yacoub's Children's Hospital in Aswan," Mrs Mubarak added.
