Alexandria, Egypt
Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Nile of Hope Hospital
Alexandria, Egypt
June 25-July 3, 2025
Alexandria is the second largest city and the largest on the Mediterranean Coast. It lies on the western edge of the Nile Delta, and was founded in 331 BC. It has a large tertiary referral base for the region and is located about 2-5 hours’ drive north-west of Cairo.
It includes many historical treasures from its illustrious past, including the famous Library of Alexandria This was one of the largest in the world over two millennia ago, but was partially destroyed during Roman skirmishes. It has since recently been re-built. It has the capacity to house up to 8 million books although less than 1.5million are currently in house. It is also a conference center.
The Nile of Hope pediatric heart facility is a modern, well-equipped, not-for profit hospital supported by the government and by private donors. The hospital has excellent equipment and is supported by very well-trained, competent staff level. They are seeking extra help with more challenging cases, ICU management and to embrace the increasingly large volume of referrals.
Dr. Sameh Said, Chief of Cardiac Surgery in Westchester, NY, USA, is Egyptian, a regular visitor there, and he has arranged for a CardioStart team to be invited by the local team to join him in a one-week mission. Our team should aim to arrive by the evening of the 24th June so that pre-operation cardiological planning and clinical case discussion can take place on the morning of the 25th June. Friday is the Muslim rest day and excepting emergencies, there will be no operating that day.
It is strongly requested that, if possible, one pediatric intensivist stay for a second week to teach and oversee the patients who received their operation in the latter part of the designated week of surgery. Dr. Said has some of the volunteer assignments already confirmed from his hospital and CardioStart will provide additional volunteer experts as he determines.
CardioStart Team:
Surgeons (2) – filled
Pediatric Cardiologist (non-interventional) (1)-filled
Pediatric perfusionist (1)-filled
Pediatric Anesthesiologist (1)
OR technical/PA support (1)
Pediatric ICU nurses (4)
Pediatric Respiratory Therapist (1)
Database coordinator (1) filled
Mission coordinator (1) filled
Dental Hygienist (1) filled
Accommodation: (costs covered by host)
A). hotel accommodation which will include breakfast. We have agreed to support minimizing our hosts expense by following the same gender room-sharing arrangement where possible.
B). transport to and from the airport and hotel each day.
Assistance with equipment/disposables:
CardioStart will deeply appreciate any help you can offer to obtain cardiac surgically relevant disposables. (Please coordinate with your local leadership to ensure donation which we can provide a donor form for). If you receive donations from your local hospital, please e mail Dr. Sameh Said and Dr. Aubyn Marath, so we can plan for items you cannot bring and not easily available. We will seek your help in bringing one suitcase dedicated for this purpose. We are advised we should NOT bring disposables that are date expired.
Visa:
You will do this online. Do NOT purchase flights or VISA until approved and told to do so.
Communication:
Dr. Said and many of the local team speak English and interpreters will be available.
Safety and Security Tips in Egypt
According to the US dept. of State Egypt is a level 3 Travel advisory.Reconsider travel to Egypt due to terrorism. Exercise increased caution in Egypt due to the Embassy’s limited ability to assist dual national U.S.-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained.
You will find that Egyptians are well used to foreign tourism and are a remarkably friendly people. Awareness of the local security situation is vital for a safe trip. Alexandria is safe but like most countries in the world, petty crime does exist. Our hosts will be very supportive to ensure we are safe. They will advise us where to go, when and always, in pairs. CardioStart will give every assistance during the mission. You are strongly advised to tell the Mission Coordinator where you are going, and in planning trips around the country. We suggest that Friday, 27th you visit Alexandria’s local sites and historical landmarks, leaving the following Friday, 4th, if you wish to take trips elsewhere in Egypt before returning home.
Seeing the Country:
In Cairo, you may get an opportunity to visit the Pyramids (a short taxi ride from down-town Cairo), the Egyptian archeology museum, the house of the Holy Family (where they stayed in their travel to Egypt) and many other historical treasures. The World Heritage sites of Luxor and Aswan can be visited by taking a short flight South.
To apply for a mission, go to: www.cardiostart.org and click on the volunteer page.
Dr. Said will be the Mission Director supported by CardioStart- Dr. Aubyn Marath.
