In May 1983, the Urology & Nephrology Center was officially inaugurated. President Mubarak visited the new hospital, wrote his impression in the guest book. Since then, the activities of the center have been growing, both clinical and academic. The establishment of the center was an examplary work of Dr. M. A Ghoneim and two of his fellow urologists: Dr. A. Ashamallah and Dr. S. Hammady.
Like what happened with renal transplantation;the founder of UNC; Dr. Ghoneim; activated a cascade of dedicated individual tasks that would perpetuate a group achievement.
This team work was manifest in the work of kidney transplantation, not in a less obvious way in other clinical and research activities in the center.
Endourology; the use of endoscopy in urologic surgery; was starting in 70's. Yet it was finally settled in mid 80's. Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion was practiced with high morbidity and significant mortality. By virtue of better understanding of anatomy and advent in anesthesia, it is now safely conducted, with less than 1% mortality and excellent functional outcome.
The introduction of the first human model of ESWL machines in the center, in 1989, was again a signal of progress.
New subspecialties were emerging: Pediatric urology, starting in late 80's and grew up to the limit of having its own ward in the new extension. Laparoscopy is a new endourologic field that has been established.
Urodynamics and voiding dysfunction has also evolved, with over 3000 patients examined in the urodynamic lab of the center and incontinence surgery developed.
Backing all these activities, a unique experimental laboratory (The animal house) exists, with hundreds of research projects arising from there. A concise yet updated library, 2 auditoria and video editing unit are essential facilities for an up-to-date urology facility run by the standards of excellence.
The center between 1983 and 1998 provided 122 beds for the urologic service. 82% of surgeries are absolutely free and 18% are partially covered on fee-for-service basis.
Until 2002, over 75000 cases were surgically treated in-wards. Over 14,000 cases had ESWL on outpatient basis. More than 1500 live-donor allotransplantation were conducted as well as more than 2800 radical cystectomies and urinary diversion. The outpatient department has been visited by more than 1.765 million [1] patients in both urologic and nephrologic clinics.
To professor Ghoneim, training is not less important than treating. Over 100 master degrees and 48 MD degrees were pesented by the urology department. Since 1993 and until now, the center is well-known as WHO collaborating for the training of junior urologists from all over the world. Through WHO, SIU [2] and direct communications with other urology departments worldwide, the Center has offered more than 145 scholarchips for Arab and foreign trainees. Over 300 publications in reputable journals are the harvest of the intense research and academic activities.
A 40-million LE worth extension was officially opened in 1998. Extra 40 beds, new ESWL unit, urodynamic laboratory with video facility, MRI, andrology and prostate imaging room. A small nevertheless elegant meeting hall was dedicated for the Board of Directors of the hospital. The design, made by a famous Dutch company is the "Diamond of the Crown" for the whole hospital.
At the dawn of 2003, a 6-year old project was born. The new 'Patient Information System' (PIS) which is carried on a fibre optic local network. A warm welcome for the whole-digital new century.
Steps further? A polyclinic at Gehan street, which started working few years ago and remains still a subject of potential extension. Another example is Minyet Samanoud hospital, which is 22 Km from Mansoura and now working fully, with 40 beds for minimally invasive surgery, outpatient departement and hemodialysis unit. Noteworthy, people and businessmen from Mansoura and neighboring towns have provided land and money for the construction of a miniature of the urology center in Minyet Samanoud.
[1] Source:
UNC archives 