On Friday, December 5, 2025, the annual medical convoy of the Plastic Surgery Department at Aswan University was launched. This convoy is considered one of the most important humanitarian and free medical initiatives offered to children and their families, with the wide participation of doctors, specialists, and volunteers. It is organized in cooperation with” Operation Smile” and the” People for Each Other Foundation” (Muasasat Al-Naas Labaedihim) in Aswan. The convoy began its activities at nine o’clock in the morning and continued until five in the evening at the Specialized Internal Medicine Hospital of Aswan University Hospitals.
The convoy administration confirmed that this event is the result of strong cooperation between the Department of Plastic Surgery at Aswan University and the University Hospitals Administration, under the supervision and broad participation of international and local medical and nursing teams. This collaboration reflects the profound value of humanitarian partnerships in serving the Egyptian community.
During their inspection tour, Prof. Louay Saad El-Din Nusrat, Acting President of Aswan University; Prof. Mohamed Zaki El-Dashoury, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the University Hospitals Board of Directors; Prof. Ashraf Maabad, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development and Director of the Surgery Hospital; Prof. Ahmed Qanawi, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department; the delegation of Operation Smile; and Dr. Ezz El-Sadek, Chairman of the Board of the People for Each Other Foundation, reviewed the workflow across the clinics. The clinics covered multiple specialties including plastic surgery, pediatrics, dentistry, internal medicine, urology, general surgery, speech therapy, physiotherapy, anesthesia, nursing, support services, and medical registration, with the participation of hundreds of volunteers.
The convoy aims to provide delicate and highly specialized surgeries to treat congenital facial and hand deformities, post-burn and post-accident complications, tumors, vascular birthmarks, and other cases requiring advanced surgical intervention—completely free of charge and without imposing any financial burden on families.
During his tour, Dr. Nusrat confirmed that Aswan University Hospitals had received approximately 1,000 cases from Upper Egypt on Friday, in a renewed humanitarian effort that reflects the university’s strong community role. He emphasized that the university is committed to supporting this convoy annually to ensure that children receive the best possible medical care. He also expressed his gratitude to all participants, particularly Operation Smile Egypt and the volunteer teams for their exceptional efforts in serving the children and patients of Upper Egypt.
Dr. El-Dashoury added that this convoy is one among several in which the Faculty of Medicine participates both inside and outside Egypt. The Faculty has previously organized more than six convoys in Tanzania, Djibouti, and Jordan, all aimed at alleviating the suffering of children and their families by providing delicate surgeries that may be difficult to access in other locations. He emphasized that all teams from the Faculty are working with unified spirit to ensure the success of this humanitarian medical initiative, along with the active participation of young doctors from various specialties.
Prof.Maabad, Vice Dean and Director of the Surgery Hospital, explained that the specialized internal medicine hospital had been fully prepared to receive patients and provide the highest standards of safety and quality during examinations, surgeries, and follow-up care. He highlighted that all procedures are carefully monitored from the moment a child is received until their full recovery.
Prof. Qanawi, Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, stated that preparations for the convoy had been ongoing for several weeks. This year’s convoy aims to increase the number of beneficiaries and to provide more complex surgical procedures, with the participation of international experts from Operation Smile to help transfer expertise to young doctors and provide children with world-class care. He added that this distinguished event stands as clear evidence of the department’s dedication to serving the children of Upper Egypt.
Dr. Al-Sadiq, Chairman of the People for Each Other Foundation, noted that the Foundation’s participation for the third consecutive year includes patient outreach, coordination through rural leaders and volunteers, and providing psychological and material support to families, including baby formula, medicines, and essential supplies. He affirmed that the Foundation continues to follow up on cases after the convoy in cooperation with the Plastic Surgery Department led by Prof. Qanawi.
The first day concluded with remarkable success, highlighted by the large public turnout and the families’ trust in the services provided. Intensive preparations are underway for the surgeries scheduled to begin Saturday morning, offering hope to hundreds of children to regain their smiles and return to normal life.
The families of the children expressed their deep gratitude to the convoy organizers for the medical services provided to children with cleft lip and palate.
