Eye institute handles 12,085 emergency cases, performs 411 surgeries through September

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar inspected upgraded departments at the Memorial Institute for Ophthalmic Research and Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital on Saturday to review renovation works, medical equipment and the quality of healthcare services.

The Ministry of Health said the ophthalmic institute had received 12,085 emergency cases through September, while 411 surgeries were performed during the same period.

The institute’s surgical building has 45 beds and seven operating rooms. Abdel Ghaffar said scientific research was a core component of the institute’s work, noting that more than 43 research papers had been published, alongside efforts to train medical staff and strengthen cooperation with international institutions.

He also congratulated the institute on the renewal of its research centre’s licence by Egypt’s Supreme Council for Medical Research Ethics.

Abdel Ghaffar inspected the paediatric ophthalmology centre, which is implementing the “Small Eyes, Big Future” initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity to provide early eye screening for children in orphanages.

He then visited Al-Galaa Teaching Hospital, where he inspected an economic neonatal unit equipped with 12 incubators, three operating rooms, specialised wards, and paediatric and neonatal departments.

During the visit, Abdel Ghaffar encouraged natural childbirth whenever medically appropriate for both the mother and baby.

At the dental department, he ordered an increase in the number of doctors and the swift launch of an electronic system to register and track patient cases. The ministry said the system was expected to become operational within one or two days.

The minister also reviewed ongoing construction works and instructed the contractor to accelerate implementation, while monitoring progress on two floors under development over the next 30 days.