Shefaa El Orman Oncology Hospital (SOH)

SOH, Luxor, Egypt, is a non-governmental charity organisation. It is the fruit of the cooperation between Shefaa Charity Foundation and the Orman Charity Association, uniting on their principle of providing free cancer treatment to sufferers in Upper Egypt. The hospital consists of the following units: inpatients, outpatients’ clinic, day care, radio-diagnosis, nuclear medicine, clinical pharmacy, medical laboratories, IT department, purchasing and stores, biomedical department, human resources, research and biobank. SOH focuses on four pillars: Clinical services of high quality without payment, continuous education and training (learning and development), scientific research and awareness and early detection. SOH’s vision is that “the hospital can be a pioneer in treating cancer patients in Egypt. This can be achieved by being leaders in the areas of education, training, development, innovation and research, in order to understand, treat and prevent cancer in the first place”. SOH’s mission is to provide the highest standard of specialised healthcare at no cost to all the cancer patients in Upper Egypt. In addition, we aim to provide expertise in the early detection of cancer to be able to reduce the mortality rate and suffering of cancer patients and their relatives. SOH is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools as well as with the latest treatment methods, which is comparable to the best international hospitals in the world. The hospital initially serves six provinces in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Sohag, Qena, Aswan, The New Valley and The Red Sea) with a combined population of 11 million people and 12.000 newly diagnosed total cases per year. In addition to previously diagnosed cases, SOH has been doing a cancer awareness campaign in the hospital and across the city to promote early detection; thus, increasing the awareness of cancer and also of the hospital. SOH specified two days a week for early detection by mammograms inside the hospital and outside the hospital by mobilising mammograms. 1.896 patients were enrolled in our early detection programme. Furthermore, SOH offers annual screening mammography and breast MRIs, and facilitates follow-up breast assessment services for abnormal screens. Our research role in cancer control is through conducting a genetic study for cancer prevention and early detection. We do a familial cancer syndromes study. However, the project aim is to expand physician-supported access to genetic testing to help every person everywhere understand their risk for hereditary disorders helping to reach our aim of no cancer in Upper Egypt. SOH provides comprehensive care for individuals with cancer and has developed a special team approach to create a care plan that meets the needs of each of our patients and their support persons. Achieving this was by means of making a multidisciplinary clinic. Medical and radiation oncologists will meet at the same time with a patient to complete a full evaluation and discuss treatment recommendations. This team will discuss a personal treatment plan that may include chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormonal therapy. As for the critical-conditions management, we have sixteen fully equipped ICU beds. Furthermore, we offer members of a highly skilled team, physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.