International cooperation of Japanese pediatricians with Cairo University Pediatric Hospital.

In connection with 'Child Year' in 1980, an agreement on the construction and donation of a pediatric hospital was concluded between the Egyptian and Japanese Governments. Under this agreement, the Cairo University Pediatric Hospital (CUPH) was opened in March 1983, as a four-storey building with 240 beds, and including four operating rooms, an intensive care unit (ICU) and neonatal ICU. The technical cooperation and supply of medical equipment in all areas of CUPH is ongoing during this project. The subject matter of technical cooperation is as follows. (1) Dispatch of Japanese experts to Egypt for short and long terms. (2) Acceptance of Egyptian trainees to Japan. (3) Supply of medical equipment and materials. Through the first 5 years of this cooperation, the management of ICU, operating theaters, medical and surgical wards has improved markedly with great efforts from the Egyptian and Japanese staff. Based on this successful cooperation, the Pediatric Cardiovascular Center was established in 1988 with a two-storey extension in the hospital including two cardiac operation theaters, ICU and other special facilities. Now, CUPH has become the center of pediatric medical care in not only Egypt but also the surrounding Arabic countries, supported by the friendly and close relationship between Egypt and Japan.