Context

Congenital anomalies (also called birth defects) are health conditions that a baby is born with. They happen when part of the body doesn’t develop normally during pregnancy. These conditions can affect the heart, brain, spine, or other organs, and can sometimes make it hard for a child to eat, breathe, move, or grow properly.

Some examples include babies born with holes in the heart, problems with the bladder or kidneys, or openings in the lip or palate. Many of these conditions can be treated with surgery, but they need specialized doctors and hospitals to do so safely.

In Egypt, access to scare remains limited, particularly for families from low-income and rural communities who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals. Public hospitals are often overburdened and under-resourced, leading to long waiting lists and delayed interventions that can permanently affect a child’s health and development.

Goals

Providing free, high-quality surgical and medical care for children with congenital anomalies, regardless of their financial means, strengthening pediatric surgical capacity in Egypt, and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to live a healthy life.