Isa award honours Egyptian hospital

Manama : His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday presented the third ‘Isa Award for Service to Humanity’ to Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Children’s Cancer Hospital Foundation Dr. Amr Ezzat Salamah at a ceremony held at the Isa Cultural Centre. 

Presenting the award, in the presence of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, HM the King said, “The award transcends borders and has no regard to restrictions of sect, geography or nationality.”

“Today, we witness with you the outcome of the third round of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, as it continues to take promising steps to excel as an Arab and global award,” said HM the King. 

“Its ultimate goal is encouraging humanitarian services,” King Hamad stressed adding: “These are the very values and principles that HH the late Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa believed in, based on His Highness’ humility and closeness to his people.”

HM the King was welcomed at the venue by Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa Award, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.

His Majesty, in his speech, congratulated Dr. Amr Ezzat Salamah, the hospital and its sponsors for winning the award. 

Shaikh Mohammed addressing the audience said, “The Jury decided, unanimously, to grant the Isa Award for Service to Humanity to the hospital for its efforts in saving the lives of thousands of children suffering from cancer.”

Commenting on the award, Isa Award for Services to Humanity Jury Committee Member Dr. Luis Amado praised HM the King for launching the award in 2009. “It’s a light in the darkness of human suffering and tragedies,” he said. 

“This year, the “Children’s Cancer Hospital Foundation”, best known by its account number, 57357, appeared to us unanimously as meeting all the criteria outlined in the Royal decree that instituted the Award,” he said. 

On his part, Dr. Salamah expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to HM the King. He spoke about the inauguration of the hospital, which began as an idea in 1998 and was established in 2007.

The event was attended by senior state officials, diplomats, dignitaries and Royal family members. 

New building

A new building will be constructed in the name of  Late Amir Prince Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in the Children’s Cancer Hospital in Egypt, it was announced. 

In a press conference held on the sidelines of the award ceremony, the Board of Trustees of the Children’s Cancer Foundation said the prize money will be used to add space for at least 300 beds.