Inauguration of the latest linear accelerator device in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Mansoura University Hospitals

President of Mansoura University: The new linear accelerator device is a great addition to the medical system for treating more than 60000 cancer patients annually.

Prof. Cherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, and Major General Tarek Marzouk, Governor of Dakahlia, inaugurated on August 28, 2024, the latest linear accelerator device in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Mansoura University Hospital, at a total cost of 156 million pounds, with a contribution from Misr El Kheir Foundation. The opening was attended by Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi, Vice President of the University for Education and Students, Prof. Mohamed Abdel-Azim, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development, Prof. Tarek Ghalwash, Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, Prof. Ashraf Shoma, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Sherif Makin, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Prof. El-Shaarawy Kamal, Executive Director of Hospitals and Medical Centers, Prof. Walid Mounir, Director of Mansoura University Hospital, Prof. Hanan, Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, and members of the Parliament and the Senate, Mrs. Afaf El-Gohary, Head of the Health Sector at Misr El-Kheir Foundation.

Prof. Cherif Khater said that Mansoura University is keen to provide its distinguished medical services as a pioneer of medicine in Egypt, in addition to integrated medical services to patients, within the framework of the directives of the President of the Republic to care for the health of citizens, facilitate patients and provide medical services that meet their needs. He added that the university has paid great attention to the speed of completing and operating the new device, and resuming the provision of radiation therapy services to cancer patients visiting hospitals, instead of them having to travel to neighboring governorates to receive the required radiation therapy, as the number of patients visiting the Nuclear Medicine Department last year exceeded 60000 patients, in addition to patients visiting the university's Oncology Center who are referred to receive radiation therapy.

Major General Tarek Marzouk congratulated the people of Dakahlia and Mansoura University on the opening of the linear accelerator device to alleviate the suffering of cancer patients. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the President of Mansoura University and those in charge of the health system at the university and Misr El Kheir Foundation for equipping this medical edifice. The governor appreciated the role of the prestigious Mansoura University in making every effort to provide medical services to the people of Dakahlia and all patients.

Prof. Ashraf Shoma pointed out that the linear accelerator is the state of the art device used in implementing the radiotherapy plan that was determined using the 3D radiotherapy planning device, by using high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. This is done by sending data related to the treatment plan to the linear accelerator device with a weekly evaluation of the course of the treatment plan and matching it with what was planned accurately. The device is equipped with thick walls according to international standard specifications to prevent harmful rays from penetrating outside the treatment room. It is also equipped with a camera to monitor the patient during treatment sessions and treats more than 100 patients daily.

Prof. Al-Shaarawy Kamal said that the new linear accelerator device works to provide medical services and serves patients and visitors from Dakahlia and neighboring governorates, as more than 60,000 patients visit the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Treatment at Mansoura University Hospital annually for treatment and follow-up, whether with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Mrs. Afaf El Gohary, Head of the Health Sector at Misr El Kheir Foundation, said that the linear processor device provided by Misr El Kheir Foundation with the assistance of Kuwait Finance House is one of the latest radiation devices in the field of radiation therapy for tumors. She added that this unit and this device were not previously available in this area that serves several neighboring governorates, and therefore this project and this funding greatly support the state’s orientations in providing medical and treatment services to citizens in order to improve their public health, in addition to the project’s contribution to achieving 3 Sustainable Development Goals: good health, decent work and economic growth, and reducing inequalities.