Cairo, Egypt: 21 July 2024
On Monday, 15 July 2024, His Excellency, Ambassador Sadiq Silla received Dr. Sherif, Corporate Manager, Baheya Oncology Hospitals in Cairo. Giving an overview of his visit and what Baheya Hospital stands for, Dr. Sherif focused on sharing the medical ideology of Baheya Hospital which he said is specialized in cases of cancer. He declared that the hospital was established for early detection and treatment of women’s cancer and to ensure women’s health and safety. The rationale of the visit, he said, was to look for a partnership with Sierra Leone. Dr. Sheriff highlighted that Baheya Hospital also offers services for breast cancer for women to treat and spread awareness raising campaigns to reach a maximum number of women suffering from breast cancer. He revealed that they are the market leaders in breast cancer in Egypt. Additionally, Baheya Hospital deals in radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Their services cover other kinds of patients. They are open to cooperation with any hospital in Sierra Leone, but the ones specializing in the operational sector. He assured the Ambassador that they have competitive prices.
On his part, Ambassador Silla welcomed the ideas and encouraged the authorities of Baheya Hospital to do what it takes to enter into partnerships with Sierra Leone. The ambassador promised to create the necessary links for the newly found relationship to grow. Samuel A. Kargbo, the Head of Chancery assured of strong facilitation to strengthen the cooperation.
Similarly, Ambassador Silla’s delegation paid a visit to Baheya Hospitals in Sheikh Zayed and Haram on Tuesday 16 July 2024 were predicated on the outcome of Dr. Sheriff’s premier meeting with the Embassy of Sierra Leone.
During a brief meeting with Dr. Mohamed Medhat, Manager of Baheya Sheikh Zayed Hospital, he disclosed that Baheya’s is the largest specialized charity hospital for treatment of breast cancer in Egypt and their mission is to provide early detection, treatment, educational, and emotional support for women using state-of-the-art technology and scientific research through community partnership, promoting volunteering work and ensuring financial and operational sustainability. Dr. Medhat underscored the necessity for collaboration with Sierra Leone for early detection and treatment of female breast cancer. In his response, His Excellency Ambassador Sadiq Silla revealed that most Sierra Leoneans have faith in Egyptian healthcare models because of the establishment of Egyptian healthcare prototype in Lumley Sierra Leone that is serving as a boost to the healthcare system. With immediate effect, the Ambassador provided a link between Baheya and the Colonial, Dr. Sivali, head of the 34 Military hospitals in Sierra Leone through a telepathic communion.
From their conversation, it was learnt that Sierra Leone is also in an advanced stage of opening and operating a cancer department at the 34 military hospitals, an initiative borne out of the desires of Dr. Fatima Jabbie Bio, Sierra Leone’s First Lady. It was as well noted that many Africans are reluctant to accept early cancer screening.
In like manner, during High-level meetings convened with Dr. Muhammad Emara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Baheya Hospital and medical projects, Ambassador Silla, emphasized the need to propose cooperation with Sierra Leoneans in Egypt. He pronounced that Sierra Leone being on the west coast of Africa has the advantage of serving as a hub benefiting other ECOWAS states and that a great opportunity exists in Sierra Leone that needs to be utilized. CEO confirmed that the Baheya foundation for early detection and treatment of breast cancer has been established in two locations: one in Sheikh Zayed City and Baheya El Haram Center, both in Giza governorate. It was evident that the hospitals have highly qualified staff and that they are entering into such cooperation with hospitals in Sierra Leone for a complete solution. He anticipated that the support of the first lady would be pivotal to strengthening the partnership in the effort to combat the spread of breast cancer. He added that making a Satellite visit will also bring out necessary information on how this could end up in inking an oncology agreement
The meetings agreed on establishing a forum where all the Technical discussions will focus on a comprehensive collaboration agreement on the provision of medical support needed for 34 Military Hospital, in terms of surgeries, screening, diagnosis, and prevention systems. It also agreed on sending details of the price list for all services offered.
After those fruitful discussions, the delegation was led by Dr. Dr. Mohamed Medhat, Manager of Baheya hospital Sheikh Zayed and Mohamed Arafa, Manager of Baheya hospital Haram respectively on a conducted tour of various departments including, Radiotherapy, Pathology, surgery, oncology, Diagnostic Radiology, Physiotherapy, and clinical Pharmacy.
The meeting ended with a joint dedication to accelerate the partnership.
