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Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, and Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, witnessed the launch of the activities of the first conference of university hospitals, which was organized by the Supreme Council of University Hospitals in cooperation with Ain Shams University, in the presence of Prof. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention Affairs and Honorary President of the Conference, Prof. Ashraf Hatem, Chairman of the Health Committee of the House of Representatives, former Minister of Health and Chairman of the Medical Sector Committee of the Supreme Council of Universities, Prof. Ahmed Taha, Chairman of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision, Prof. Hesham Steit, Chairman of the Unified Procurement and Supply Authority, Prof. Amani Osama Kamel, Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Prof. Omar Sharif Omar, Secretary of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, Prof. Ahmed Anani, Advisor to the Minister for Health Policies, Prof. Ali Al-Anwar, Dean of Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Hospitals, Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals, and a group of directors of University hospitals from various Egyptian universities, ministry leaders, a select group of academics, health policymakers, and healthcare experts.

The Egyptian University Hospitals Conference is a national forum that brings together a select group of academics, health policymakers, and healthcare experts to discuss the current state of university hospitals and their pivotal role in supporting Egypt's healthcare system and medical education.

In his speech, Prof. Ayman Ashour expressed his pleasure at participating in the first conference of university hospitals, this important national event that reflects the pivotal role of university hospitals in supporting the healthcare system, enhancing medical education, developing scientific research, and serving the community.

The Minister pointed out that university hospitals are not merely treatment facilities, but rather integrated centers that combine education, training, research, and service. They represent the executive and scientific arm of medical faculties at universities and represent the first line of defense against health challenges. They have proven their worth in all crises, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic, where they have set an exemplary example of efficiency and integration.

The Minister emphasized that we believe in the importance of promoting university hospitals as an integral part of developing higher education and scientific research in Egypt. He explained that the Ministry is working in cooperation with the Supreme Council of University Hospitals to enhance governance and sound management within university hospitals, support infrastructure, expand the digitization of services, develop medical education and training programs, activate partnerships with the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally, and establish clear policies to ensure the quality of healthcare provided to specialists.

The Minister noted that through this conference, we are embarking on a new phase of coordination and integration among all parties, with the goal of creating a unified national vision for the development of university hospitals in line with Egypt's Vision 2030, with regard to health and education.

Prof. Ayman Ashour praised the efforts of all those involved in organizing this conference, as well as the efforts of all doctors, faculty staff, nurses, and workers in university hospitals across the country.

The Minister expressed his hope for the success of the conference sessions and for the resulting recommendations that will contribute to raising the level of health and education services in Egypt.

Prof. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din praised the pivotal national role played by university hospitals in supporting Egypt's health and education systems, expressing his pride in hosting the conference at the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University.

He added that university hospitals represent the beating heart of medical schools and universities, noting that major medical schools such as Kasr El-Aini and El-Demerdash bear the names of their hospitals, reflecting the deep connection between medical education and clinical practice.

His Excellency stated that university hospitals represent the "brain" of healthcare in Egypt and the "factory" of medical personnel. Training and qualification of doctors begins at the undergraduate level, and the services of these institutions extend to public, private, and non-governmental universities alike.

He explained that graduates from Egyptian universities are the true founders of Egypt's medical infrastructure, in addition to their contributions to the development of health systems in a number of countries around the world.

He also pointed out that modern medical technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, have flourished in a fertile environment within university hospitals, where they are currently used in various fields, most notably radiology, endoscopic treatment, and early tumor diagnosis.

He emphasized that university hospitals are keen to embrace all new developments in the world of medicine through continuous research and training, both within Egypt and through collaboration with international medical institutions, with the aim of localizing the latest scientific developments.

He also praised the significant role played by university hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were the mainstay of the healthcare system during this critical period.

In his speech, Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of this event in highlighting the vital role played by university hospitals in supporting Egypt's healthcare and education systems.

He pointed out that Ain Shams University Hospitals' mission is not limited to providing medical services alone, but rather represents an integrated platform to support scientific research and innovation in medical fields, developing diagnostic and treatment tools, and adopting the latest technologies, most notably artificial intelligence applications in various medical fields, which enhances service efficiency and achieves equitable access to healthcare.

Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen emphasized that Ain Shams University places a top priority on preparing and qualifying medical personnel through an integrated training system that begins at the undergraduate level and extends to fellowships and postgraduate studies, within the framework of fruitful cooperation with major local and international universities and medical institutions.

He explained that Ain Shams University hospitals received nearly one million patients in 2024 alone, and approximately 34,000 highly efficient surgical operations were performed, reflecting the citizens great confidence place in this medical institution and its qualified human resources.

He highlighted some of the university's pioneering achievements, including the accreditation of El Obour Hospital as the first university hospital specializing in combating epidemics, and its prominent role during the pandemic. He also highlighted the "Virtual Hospital," the first remote digital university hospital in Egypt. He praised the efforts of the medical and administrative staff, describing them as the backbone of hospitals and commending their dedication, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which university hospitals demonstrated their ability to support the national healthcare system with remarkable efficiency.

The President of Ain Shams University concluded his speech by saying, "We believe that investing in health is an investment in the future of the nation. We will continue to work with determination and dedication to keep the flame of development and excellence burning bright, so that Ain Shams University remains, as everyone knows it, a fundamental pillar in supporting the Egyptian state and its development journey."

In his speech, Prof. Ashraf Hatem, Chairman of the Health Committee in the House of Representatives, former Minister of Health, and Chairman of the Medical Sector Committee of the Supreme Council of Universities, emphasized the importance of activating the role of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, which coordinates between university hospitals providing services across the country, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of the healthcare system at the governorate level.

His Excellency provided a historical overview of the establishment of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, expressing his pleasure at participating in the activities of the first conference of university hospitals. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between all universities and with the comprehensive health insurance system, with the aim of improving the quality of medical services provided to citizens.

He also emphasized the pivotal role played by university hospitals, both in providing healthcare and in preparing and training generations of competent doctors capable of providing distinguished medical services that keep pace with the latest scientific developments in the medical field.

Prof. Ali Al-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Hospitals at Ain Shams University, emphasized in his speech at the First University Hospitals Conference the importance of transferring the experience of medical training and education from within university hospitals to Ministry of Health hospitals and other healthcare institutions, to alleviate the pressure on university hospitals that receive large numbers of patients daily.

He pointed out that the solution lies in developing a training system outside the university campus, calling for all medical schools to oversee one or two nearby hospitals, transforming them into training centers for doctors in various specialties, including interns, Ministry of Health doctors, and others from various medical sectors.

He emphasized that all Egyptian universities today have effective cooperation protocols with various relevant ministries, paving the way for creating a unified and comprehensive educational environment that ensures the advancement of physicians across the country.

During his speech at the conference, Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals, emphasized that the role of these hospitals is not limited to providing medical services, but extends to preparing, training, and qualifying doctors to provide distinguished healthcare both within and outside of universities.

He expressed his pride in hosting the first conference of university hospitals within Ain Shams University Hospitals, emphasizing that this event reflects the prestigious position the university occupies in supporting and developing the health and education system in Egypt.

He emphasized the importance of focusing on training as a key component of developing the health system, noting that investing in the training of medical personnel is the true guarantee of the quality and sustainability of health services in Egypt, especially in light of the expanding implementation of the comprehensive health insurance system, which requires qualified personnel capable of meeting the needs of a modern health system.

The conference focused on reviewing the most pressing issues facing university hospitals, especially in light of economic challenges, rising operating costs, and increased demand for healthcare services.

The conference program included panel discussions on quality, accreditation, and oversight in light of comprehensive health insurance, the strategic role of university hospitals in supporting the Egyptian healthcare system, and a discussion of the economics of healthcare in university hospitals. The conference also featured a presentation of the President's oncology initiative and a discussion of university hospital automation projects.

The conference organizing committee included Prof. Nirvana Hussein from the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, and from Ain Shams University, Prof. Rahab Mohamed Abdel Rahman, Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Prof. Yasmine Gamal Abdo El-Gendy, Director of the Children's Hospital, and Prof. Raghda El-Sayed Talal Tawfik, Director of the New Emergency Hospital.