The Government of Canada and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt planned a visit to Abassya Chest Hospital to witness the new CT scanning unit, delivered under an agreement between both parties to support Egypt’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

The visit included Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, H.E. Ambassador of Canada to Egypt, Louis Dumas and UNDP Egypt Deputy Resident Representative, Sylvain Merlen with the attendance of Dr. Mohamed Eid, Abassya Hospital Manager, Dr. Arabi Mohamed, Abassya Hospital General Manager and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), UNDP and the Embassy of Canada to Egypt.

The new CT Scanning Unit was equipped with the latest CT scanning equipment funded by the Government of Canada through the activities of the “Support to Egypt for COVID-19 Screening and Testing Capacity” project, implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the MoHP. The agreement signed between UNDP and the Government of Canada was worth CAD 500,000 (approx. USD 360,000) to support the screening and testing capacity in Egypt and limit the impacts of COVID-19.

This high-end 16-slice CT scanner was delivered, installed and has been fully operational at Abassya Chest Hospital since May 2021 – a major facility for COVID-19 screening, testing and treatment in Cairo. Since the installation of this CT scanner 1 July 2021 till 6 August 2022, the total number of 15,959 patient has been scanned on it including 60 cases with CT PA.

H.E. Ambassador of Canada to Egypt, Louis Dumas said during the visit: “We're proud to see how the CT Scanning Unit and trained physicians continue to deliver essential services at Abbassiya Hospital. As the world recovers from the profound impacts of a 2-year pandemic, this resourceful unit will continue building healthier communities in Cairo and Giza.  Canada remains focused on supporting Egypt's resiliency in addressing challenges while putting people at the centre of its prosperous future.  We’ve all learned through these difficult times that by working together, we have even greater capacity to quickly find innovative solutions to whatever problems our communities may face.”

From his side, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sylvain Merlen said: “We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the Egyptian Government in a truly joint effort, to support the country’s health system”. He added: “With Canada’s support, we are back here today to see the installed medical equipment at the Abassiya Chest Hospital. We are seeing how it has been put into most efficient use and continues to serve people daily. We are grateful for this project that will help increase access and improve quality of healthcare services in the country. Investments in health systems will help respond to pandemics more equitably and address other health challenges.”.

The Abassya Chest Hospital is considered one of the busiest healthcare facilities in Cairo, providing medical services for the poorest and most vulnerable. The new CT scanning unit significantly contributes to improving the health and wellbeing of Egyptians particularly among moderate and severe cases and allows appropriate and effective medical interventions.

For media inquiries, please contact:

UNDP: Fatma Elzahraa Yassin, UNDP Communications Analyst, fatma.yassin@undp.org       

The Embassy of Canada in Egypt: Asmaa Fereig, Press and Public Affairs Unit,Asmaa.fereig@international.gc.ca