A charity in Sharjah made a $4 million donation in memory of Sheikh Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, who died last year, to build a paediatric intensive care unit in Egypt.
The Big Heart Foundation contribution will build and fully equip the unit at the upcoming Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre, which is due for completion in 2023.
The unit will be named after the son of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.
Sheikh Khalid died unexpectedly, aged 39, in London in July last year.
Once complete, the hospital is slated to be one of the biggest healthcare and research entities for treatment of cardiac and cardiovascular diseases in the Arab world.
It will cater to 120,000 patients annually and will provide 12,000 free cardiovascular surgeries and catheterisations, of which 60 per cent will be dedicated to children.
Cardiovascular diseases are a major public health issue in Egypt, accounting for 46 per cent of total deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.
Around 18,000 children are born with congenital heart disease each year in Egypt – 5,000 of whom die as a result.
The unit, funded by the foundation, will hold 16 beds and "state-of-the-art" medical equipment for post-cardiovascular surgery.
The donation will also cover expenses to ensure two nurses are allocated to each patient.
"At TBHF, children are at the heart of our charity endeavours as we believe that by providing a safe and nurturing environment as well as improving children’s health, they can grow up to become the most effective change-makers worldwide,” said Mariam Al Hammadi, the foundation’s director.
“Our support in building this post-cardiovascular surgery Picu aims to alleviate the suffering of children and their parents, and is geared towards advancing Egypt’s healthcare infrastructure.”
The hospital will also provide training to 1,500 doctors and surgeons through its training and educational centre, operating under the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation.
The donation was made under the directives of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is chairwoman on the foundation, Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at UNHCR and wife of the Ruler of Sharjah.
