VIRTUAL Lisbon Livable Cities

Abstract

In Cairo, a Global South megacity of over 10 million, nonprofit hospitals like the 57357 Children’s Cancer Hospital, Baheya Foundation for Breast Cancer, and Ahl Masr Foundation for burns enhance urban livability by providing specialized healthcare and empowering Egyptians, Arabs, and Africans post-recovery. These institutions, distinguished in the region for their community-driven funding and empowerment focus, address critical needs—pediatric oncology, breast cancer, and burn treatment—while fostering resilience. The 57357 Hospital, treating over 20,000 children annually, empowers young survivors through its Reactive Therapy Center, offering psychosocial support and educational reintegration for patients from Sudan to Libya. Baheya, supporting 130,000 women since 2015, promotes empowerment via the ‘Be Ready’ campaign for early detection and psychological care programs, enabling social and economic reintegration. Ahl Masr, the region’s largest burn treatment facility, has treated over 5,000 patients since 2024 through its Burn Prevention and Awareness Program and post-treatment support, including rehabilitation and job placement, reducing stigma for Egyptian and African patients. Rooted in Egypt’s charity tradition, these hospitals rely on donations and partnerships, ensuring sustainable healthcare. By reducing health disparities and fostering inclusive communities, they serve as urban anchors in Cairo. This study argues that 57357, Baheya, and Ahl Masr offer a scalable model for Global South cities, showing how nonprofit healthcare, through targeted empowerment programs, integrates with urban planning to create equitable, resilient urban environments.