By : Basel Khaled
Siemens Healthineers Egypt (SHS), a leader in healthcare Imaging and Diagnostic technology, signed a first-of-a-kind Master Research Agreement in Africa for Cardiac diseases with Aswan Heart Research Centre- Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation (MYF), the signing ceremony took place at the ESC European society of Cardiology Congress in Paris during Aug. 30th and – Sept. 4th , 2019.
The agreement is the first of its kind in Africa to address the growing challenges present in Egypt and Africa in the area of cardiovascular diseases, pediatric congenital and non-invasive cardiac imaging. This agreement intensifies the work between MYF’s Aswan Heart Research Centre Biomedical Engineering and Innovation Laboratory (BME), headed by Dr.-Ing. Heba Aguib and Siemens Healthineers through Egypt’s Scientific Collaboration Division. The confidentiality and collaboration rules set within the signed agreement, allow the Aswan Heart Research Centre to use the technologies of Siemens Healthineers, which are not yet commercially available, for research and implementation projects and to jointly develop innovative solutions for adult and congenital cardiovascular diseases.
The agreement was signed by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, Director of Aswan Heart Research Centre, and Michael Schmermer, Managing Director - Egypt, Djibouti, Eretria, Sudan, and Libya, Siemens Healthcare S.A.E.
“This groundbreaking partnership with the Magdi Yacoub Foundation (MYF) Aswan Heart Centre establishes a new paradigm for the ways we all are working together to transform care delivery and improving patient experiences for the benefit of patients in Egypt.” said Michael Schmermer, Managing Director - Egypt, Siemens Healthcare S.A.E. “Siemens Healthineers enables healthcare providers to increase value by empowering them on their journey towards expanding precision medicine by digitalizing healthcare.”
Through the partnership, the two organizations will seek to develop new ways of diagnosis and treatment, including early detection of cardiac diseases and clinical pathways focusing on better outcomes at lower cost.
“Partnering with Siemens Healthineers through this Master Research Agreement will provide our patients with even greater access to state-of-the-art technology for cardiovascular treatment,” said Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub, Director of Research, Aswan Heart Research Centre, Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation. “This agreement will further reinforce the role of the Aswan Heart Centre as a centre of excellence and international standing dedicated to cardiovascular surgery, treatment, and research that provides hope, improves life chances, and serves the children, young people, and adults of Egypt and the region.”
Cardiac disease is ranked amongst the top three causes of death globally. The Magdi Yacoub Foundation was founded in 2008 with the aim of establishing an international center to offer health services for free to the less privileged, and in 2009 launched the Aswan Heart Center Project as an integral part of the MYF to establish a center of excellence to combat heart disease in Egypt, The Aswan Heart Research Centre was inaugurated in 2016 with its three pillars: Biomedical Engineering, Life Sciences and Clinical Research.
