In a powerful display of solidarity between the Egyptian state and civil society, Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), paid a landmark visit to Ahl Masr Burn Hospital — the Middle East and Africa’s first and only hospital dedicated entirely to the free treatment of burn victims.
Welcomed by Dr. Heba El Sewedy, Founder and Chair of the Ahl Masr Foundation, Dr. El-Ghamrawy toured the facility to witness firsthand its cutting-edge medical capabilities and its internationally lauded model of holistic care. The visit spotlighted not just a hospital, but a movement — one that is redefining trauma recovery in Egypt and across the region.
“Ahl Masr represents the highest standard of integrated, humane care,” said Dr. El-Ghamrawy. “It is a national treasure and a regional beacon — a testament to what happens when compassion meets medical innovation.”
A Vision Born of Tragedy, Sustained by Hope
Founded in the wake of Egypt’s tragic events and growing awareness of the dire need for specialized burn care, Ahl Masr Hospital operates entirely free of charge. Its model transcends medical treatment, encompassing comprehensive psychological rehabilitation, social reintegration, and vocational support.
Dr. El-Ghamrawy praised the institution not only for its clinical excellence but also for its profound humanitarian mission, adding that the Egyptian government stands “shoulder to shoulder” with such civil society efforts, providing all necessary support to ensure their success.
“The strength of Egypt’s civil society is unmatched in the region,” he said. “The state recognizes that initiatives like Ahl Masr are not auxiliary, but essential — they are partners in national development and in restoring dignity to the most vulnerable.”
Strengthening the Public-Civil Healthcare Alliance
As part of the Egyptian Drug Authority’s ongoing efforts to bolster healthcare delivery across the nation, the Chairman reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted availability of high-quality medications and medical supplies for burn care.
The EDA, he noted, maintains constant coordination with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to meet the needs of specialized institutions such as Ahl Masr. This visit marks an intensification of strategic collaboration between regulatory authorities and nonprofit healthcare providers — a model increasingly viewed as essential for building resilient, inclusive health systems.
Accompanying Dr. El-Ghamrawy were senior officials from the EDA, including Dr. Amani Goudet, Senior Advisor and Head of the Chairman’s Office, Dr. Miriam Boulos, Head of the Central Administration of Medical Supplies, Dr. Osama Hatim, Advisor for Policy and International Cooperation, and Dr. Hebatallah Ibrahim, Director of Biopharmaceuticals
From the Ahl Masr side, the visiting delegation was joined by Dr. Rifaat Abdel Maqsoud, CEO of Ahl Masr Hospital, Dr. Iman Sherif, CEO of Ahl Masr Foundation, and Dr. Ahmed Rizk, Head of the Medical Sector
Humanitarian Healthcare: A Model for the Future
In Egypt, where burn injuries remain a significant yet under-addressed public health issue, the hospital serves a critical need. And yet, it also stands as a symbol — of what Egyptian society, when united in purpose, can achieve.
The visit concluded with renewed commitments to institutional partnership, resource alignment, and policy support, all under the banner of sustainable development and equitable healthcare access.
