Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Nile of Hope Hospital

Alexandria, Egypt

July 30-August 7, 2026

Alexandria is the second largest city and the largest on the Mediterranean Coast. It lies on thewestern edge of the Nile Delta, and was founded in 331 BC. It has a large tertiary referral base for theregion and is located about 2.5 hours ’drive north-west of Cairo.

The city includes many historical treasures from itsillustrious past, including the famous Library ofAlexandria. This was one of the largest in the world overtwo millennia ago, but was partially destroyed duringRoman skirmishes. It has since recently been re-built.
It has the capacity to house up to 8 million booksalthough less than 1.5 million are currently in house.

The Nile of Hope pediatric heart facility is a modern, well-equipped, not-for profit hospital supported by thegovernment and by private donors. The hospital hasexcellent equipment and is supported by very well-trained,competent staff level. They are seeking extra help tohandle the more challenging cases, fine tune their ICU management and to embrace the increasingly largevolume of referrals.Dr. Sameh Said, Chief of Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery at Westchester Medical Center and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, in Westchester, NY, USA, is Egyptian, a regular visitor there, and he has invited the CardioStart team to return this year and collaborate with the local team in a one-week mission in July/August.

Logistics
Our team should aim to arrive in Cairo by the late afternoon of Thursday July 30th. A large coach will transport the team to Alexandria – a 2.5-hour journey. Preoperative cardiological planning and clinical case discussion will take place on the morning of Friday July 31st and go on during the week. Friday is the Muslim Holy day and excepting emergencies, there will be no operating that day.

It is requested that the team, particularly, pediatric intensivist, and those involved primarily in Education stay for the entire period before considering social activities in Egypt. Travel should take place after the mission.
CardioStart Team:

• Surgeons (2) – filled
• Pediatric Cardiologist (non-interventional) (2)
• Pediatric perfusionist – filled
• Pediatric Anaesthesiologist (2)
• OR technical/PA support (2) – filled
• Pediatric Intensivist (2) – may be for one week, or if second one available, extending to second week.
• Pediatric ICU nurses (4)
• Echo technician – filled
• Pediatric Respiratory Therapist (1)
• Database coordinator (1) = filled
• Mission coordinator (1)

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 in Cairo 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 are 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:
This is easily done online. Payment is in US dollars.

Communication with local team members:
Dr. Said and many of the local team speak English fluently 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:

Embassies issue statements to emphasize their cautious approach and their reassurance is usually minimal and may be based on recent or historical events. Their current statement reads:  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 and kind 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 on the first Friday, (31st) of your arrival, you will have an opportunity to visit Alexandria’s local sites and historical landmarks. You will be transported back to Cairo.

Political Stability:
At present, Egypt is stable but we will advise you, and will stay informed about the current political situation and adhere to embassy security advice. We will also re-advise you prior to the mission.

The war involving Iran, Israel and other Middle East locations:
Prof. Sameh Said has specifically addressed this issue in an email copied here. He is traveling to Alexandria twice before the mission commences. His advice is as follows:
As we prepare for our mission to Egypt in August 2026, I want to take a moment to address any concerns you may have regarding travel safety and the current situation in the region.
While it is true that the Middle East has been experiencing some political conflicts recently, I want to assure you that Egypt remains safe for travel and is fully prepared to welcome our team. The Nile of Hope hospital where we will be working is eagerly awaiting our arrival and is well-equipped to support our efforts in helping children with complex heart defects who desperately need surgery. Our mission is not only crucial for the children we will serve but also promises to be a rewarding and unforgettable experience for all of us. Egypt is a beautiful country rich in history and culture, and our time there will be both impactful and enjoyable.Your dedication and willingness to help these children mean the world to us, and together we will make a real difference. Please feel confident that all necessary safety measures and precautions are in place to ensure a smooth and secure trip. Thank you for your commitment and compassion. We look forward to embarking on this meaningful journey with you. Dr. Sameh Said.

To apply for the mission, visit:https://cardiostart.org/volunteer-interest-form/