Prof. Louai Saad El-Din Nusrat, Acting President of Aswan University, inaugurated the Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit and the Microscopic Simulation Laboratory on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. These facilities were established with funding from CIB Bank as part of the university’s efforts to develop the medical system and enhance the level of healthcare services provided to the people of Upper Egypt.
The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Mohamed Zaki El-Dashoury, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Ashraf Maabad, Director of the Surgery Hospital; Prof. Khaled Ismail, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery; Dr. Ahmed Hani, Lecturer of Neurosurgery; Prof. Bahaa El-Hawary, Head of the Department of Pediatrics; Prof. Essam Abu El-Magd, Professor of Otolaryngology; and Dr. Mohamed Saeed, Administrative Supervisor of the Department of Anesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care. A delegation from the Commercial International Bank (CIB) Foundation also attended, headed by Prof. Sherif El-Saeed, Director of the Foundation.
This new unit comes within the framework of a major expansion at Aswan University Hospital, which now provides services to more than three million citizens across the governorates of South Upper Egypt. The number of departments at Aswan University Hospital has increased from eight in previous years to thirty-two, accompanied by significant growth in doctor training programs and practical training centers.
CIB Bank contributed to the development and expansion of the Department of Neurosurgery, transforming it from a small unit operating within the reception area into a fully equipped department that now includes:
-A pediatric neurosurgical intensive care unit with six beds.
-An intermediate neurosurgical care unit with four beds.
-A microsurgical simulation laboratory equipped with advanced microscopes for neurosurgical training.
Following the inauguration, the Acting President of Aswan University and the CIB delegation toured the new department, where they received a detailed explanation from Dr. Ahmed Hani, Lecturer of Neurosurgery, about the advanced medical equipment and technologies added to serve pediatric neurosurgery patients in Upper Egypt.
In his speech, Prof. Nusrat affirmed that Aswan University places the advancement of its medical services among its top priorities, especially in highly specialized fields that are urgently needed by the people of Upper Egypt. He emphasized that the opening of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit and the Microscopic Simulation Laboratory represents a significant step toward improving healthcare services and expanding opportunities for training young doctors, in alignment with the university’s mission to serve the community.
Prof. El-Dashoury, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aswan University Hospitals, added that the Faculty of Medicine is committed to continuously supporting new departments and modern medical equipment at the University Hospital, which enhances the efficiency of clinical training for students and doctors. He explained that the development of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit marks a qualitative leap in providing essential specialized services for thousands of patients across Aswan and the governorates of Upper Egypt.
Prof. Maabad, Director of the Surgery Hospital, stated that the new department is equipped with 22 beds and the latest medical devices, enabling the hospital to receive a larger number of cases and strengthen its capacity to manage complex pediatric surgeries. He added that Aswan University Hospitals aim to become a leading referral center for Upper Egypt.
Mr. El-Saeed, Director of the CIB Foundation, affirmed that the bank’s support for children’s healthcare is part of its 50-year strategy to achieve sustainable and inclusive development. To date, CIB has provided medical services to approximately 7.5 million children. Since 2014, three major projects have been implemented at Aswan University Hospitals, benefiting more than 11,000 children. “We are proud to contribute to the development of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department,” he said.
Prof. Ismail, Head of the Neurosurgery Department, announced that the department will host a group of leading professors in the field for a workshop on Thursday and Friday, November 20–21. During the workshop, the visiting experts will perform surgeries on complex tumor cases. Among the distinguished participants are Prof. Ahmed Hegazy, Professor of Neurosurgery at Kasr El-Aini Hospital, and Prof. Sameh Amin, Professor of Otolaryngology and Skull Base Surgery at Kasr El-Aini Hospital. Prof. Amin will be sharing his expertise with the department’s junior doctors, ultimately improving the quality of care for patients.
