Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Launches 'Little Hearts' Campaign to Save Lives in Egypt

Photo : SHARJAH GOVT MEDIA BUREAU

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, launched the "Little Hearts" campaign on Thursday morning. This initiative, sponsored by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority in collaboration with the Sharjah Charitable Society, aims to support the treatment of young heart patients at the Dr. Magdi Yacoub Heart Center in Aswan, Egypt.

During the launch, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi emphasized the enduring commitment of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Sharjah to providing healthcare and support to patients worldwide. He highlighted that these charitable efforts align with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who advocates for everyone's right to a healthy and stable life.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi stated, "Through initiatives like the heart surgery campaign and other projects by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, we aim to provide treatment to patients who cannot afford the expenses of therapeutic operations in Aswan, Egypt. The campaign commences today, July 4, and will continue for a full year."

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The campaign's goal is to offer medical care to more than 1,000 cases across Arab and non-Arab countries, overseen by the Sharjah Charitable Society. His Highness expressed gratitude to the generous donors who contribute to charitable programs such as "Alam wa Amal" (Pain and Hope) and "Al Reeh Al Mursela" (The Sent Wind). He prayed for the acceptance of their noble deeds and for blessings upon their efforts.

During the event, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and attendees viewed a presentation on the establishment of the Aswan Heart Center, led by Dr. Magdy Yacoub and marking its fifteenth year of humanitarian service and medical initiatives benefiting Egypt and African nations. Plans are underway to expand the center's services to other cities, including Cairo, which will accommodate three times the current patient capacity.

The Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council also learned about the center's provision of free cardiac therapeutic services, performing over 10,000 surgeries annually and conducting training programs for high school graduates to address nursing shortages. The center also trains school students in life-saving emergency response skills, crucial in a country where heart disease accounts for 40% of deaths.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi toured various departments and facilities of the Aswan Heart Center, gaining insights into advanced cardiac surgical techniques and modern technologies used for treating children with heart conditions, including catheterization and open-heart surgeries.

He visited the pediatric intensive care unit, meeting with patients and their families who benefited from cardiac surgeries funded by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. His Highness was briefed on efforts to collect donations and distribute them to beneficiaries, showcased through an exhibition highlighting the Authority's contributions to charitable work, including the "Pain and Hope" program launched in 2006.

Since its inception, the "Pain and Hope" program has supported more than 4,130 cases, totaling over AED 121 million dirhams in donations. This year alone, 85 cases received assistance amounting to approximately AED 3.5 million dirhams. The program extends its impact to various charitable projects globally, including hospital construction, medical equipment provision, and health campaigns like the Pink Caravan for cancer screening.

Additionally, the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority and Sharjah Charitable Society jointly launched the annual charitable radio program "The Sent Wind" during Ramadan. This program has continued for fourteen years, supporting initiatives in remote areas across 110 countries, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.

The "Little Hearts" campaign, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, will provide critical medical care to 500 heart patients from Aswan, Egypt, in partnership with the Sharjah Charitable Society and the Magdi Yacoub Heart Center. This initiative addresses cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of mortality in Egypt, where approximately 1,000 children are born with congenital heart defects annually due to limited healthcare resources.

Accompanying Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi during his visit were Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Charitable Society, HE Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Radio and Television Authority, Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, Executive Director of the Sharjah Charitable Society, and several officials from the health sector in Egypt.