In a significant step toward holistic patient care, Ahl Masr Burn Hospital has signed a cooperation protocol with the Make-A-Wish Foundation – UAE, aimed at supporting the psychological and emotional well-being of burn patients in Egypt.
The agreement, signed during an official ceremony at the hospital’s headquarters in Cairo, reflects a joint commitment to comprehensive care that goes beyond physical treatment. The partnership focuses on granting wishes, psychological rehabilitation, and improving the quality of life for burn survivors — especially children.
The signing ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries and representatives from both organizations. On the Egyptian side, attendees included Dr. Heba El-Suwaidi, Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ahl Masr Foundation; Mr. Refaat Abdel Haider, Executive Director of Ahl Masr Burn Hospital; and Ms. Iman Sherif, CEO of the Ahl Masr Foundation for Development.
Representing the Make-A-Wish Foundation were Mr. Hamdan Al Kaabi, member of the Security Council; and Ms. Noha Al Shorbagy, Chief Operating Officer. The event also welcomed Abdul Basit Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Vice President of the “Why Try and Do” initiative at the UAE Embassy in Cairo, who praised the partnership and emphasized its lasting humanitarian value.
Dr. Heba El-Suwaidi affirmed the hospital’s vision of treating burn victims not merely as medical cases, but as individuals whose mental and emotional well-being is integral to their recovery. “Burn injuries leave a deep psychological impact. True healing requires compassion, dignity, and restoring hope,” she said.
The collaboration introduces a psychological support program that begins the moment the patient enters the hospital. A dedicated team of mental health professionals will provide counseling, support groups, and reintegration initiatives including art therapy, recreational activities, and back-to-school programs for young patients.
Recent data from Ahl Masr indicates that approximately 32% of burn patients experience suicidal thoughts during treatment due to trauma, physical disfigurement, and social isolation — underscoring the urgent need for psychological care.
The initiative aligns with the mission of the UAE-based Make-A-Wish Foundation, established in 2010 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, which has granted over 7,700 wishes for critically ill children worldwide. “We believe in the power of a wish to uplift the spirit and transform a child’s journey with illness into one of hope and resilience,” said Ms. Al Shorbagy.
Both organizations emphasized that healthcare must address the emotional as well as the physical dimensions of recovery. This partnership brings together two missions united by compassion and a shared belief that every patient deserves to dream again.
“This is more than a protocol,” said Mr. Al Marzouqi. “It’s a promise to every child suffering from burns that they are not alone. That their pain is acknowledged, and their hope is honored.”
The protocol also includes provisions for continuous engagement with the patients’ families, offering them tools to support their loved ones through recovery and reintegration into society with confidence and dignity.
