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28 Complex Pediatric Heart Surgeries and 50 Cases Evaluated by Echocardiography…Outcomes of Egyptian British Medical Cooperation at the Heart Academy of Ain Shams University Hospitals
In a medical achievement reflecting the excellence of the medical teams at Ain Shams University Hospitals and highlighting the importance of international partnerships in improving healthcare services, the British medical team from Alder Hey Children's Hospital in England concluded its visit to the Heart Academy at the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Diseases and Surgery Hospital. During the visit, the team participated in performing 28 pediatric heart surgeries, evaluating 50 patients using echocardiography (ECHO), and developing appropriate treatment plans for each case.
The visit took place within the framework of a joint medical cooperation agreement, under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; Prof. Ali El-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ain Shams University Hospitals; and Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of Ain Shams University Hospitals.
Prof. Ashraf Abdel Hamid, Head of the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit at the Heart Academy, explained that the surgeries performed involved cases ranging from moderately to highly complex. He noted that newborns accounted for approximately 25% of the total surgical cases, reflecting the high level of precision and medical expertise required to manage such critical conditions.
He added that the children who underwent surgery are showing improvements in their health conditions and are expected to be discharged from the hospital within 3 to 4 days, depending on each patient's clinical progress.
The cooperation between the Egyptian and British medical teams also extended to the academic field. At the invitation of the Egyptian medical team, the British delegation participated in the 29th Conference of the Egyptian Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery, held in Alexandria. Both teams presented the latest scientific research and international techniques in pediatric cardiac surgery, promoting the exchange of expertise and keeping pace with medical advancements.
As part of efforts to support continuous professional development, the British nursing team delivered scientific and educational lectures on postoperative care for cardiac surgery patients. The team also participated in a specialized workshop addressing the management of mechanical ventilators in intensive care units and the latest approaches to neonatal care. These activities provided valuable opportunities for training and exchanging expertise with nursing staff from various Egyptian universities.
For his part, Dr. Walid Ismail, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Academy and a member of the Egyptian surgical team, shared his experience during the visit. He emphasized that cooperation with the British team was characterized by a strong spirit of teamwork, as the cases required thorough assessments, joint surgical planning, and precise medical decision-making throughout the surgical procedures and intensive care stages.
He pointed out that the collaboration was not limited to clinical practice but also included discussions on ideas and proposals for launching joint research projects and benefiting from shared academic expertise, in addition to the productive scientific discussions held during the 29th Conference of the Egyptian Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Dr. Walid Ismail also expressed his appreciation to the British medical team for sharing its scientific knowledge and practical experience. He praised the efforts of junior doctors, nursing staff, and technicians, highlighting their essential role in ensuring the success of the visit and achieving its medical and training objectives.
It is worth noting that this visit forms part of a regular cooperation program conducted every six months under an ongoing, open-ended cooperation agreement between the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in England. The partnership aims to strengthen the exchange of medical and clinical expertise, facilitate complex pediatric cardiac surgeries, and develop the skills of medical and nursing professionals through training aligned with the latest international standards and practices.
