Historical Overview

In 1936, the number of hospitals in Egypt was limited and the number of beds in each hospital was naturally quite limited. As treatment of tuberculosis (TB) patients in hospitals was taking a very long time, priority was given only to patients suffering from TB of the first degree. Patients suffering from TB of moderate or severe degrees had no opportunity for treatment in hospitals. In addition, many patients were reluctant to enter hospitals for the lack of a reliable alternative soruce of support for their families.

To address this problem, Dr. Mahmoud Abaza, the then of the chest Diseases Department at the Ministry of Health met at that time a number of students in a girls school, spoke to them about the health and social problems facing TB patients and asked them to think about ways to help such

Seven girls decided they must to something to help TB patients and their families. The seven girls are Sherifa Lotfy, Neima El Berzi, Laila Doss, Doreya Allouba, Adia Allouba, Zakeya Aziz and Mrs. Eve Mahmoud. This was the seed which was planted and grown as a tree with solid roots and branches touching the sky, because the Association was established in the same year, 1939 and developed throughout the years to have now 29 branches all over the governorates of Egypt.  The activities of the members were emitted to visiting the families of the patients who are under treatment in the hospitals to provide support to such families and assist as much as possible. The revenues of the Association was seventy piasters monthly, representing the subscription proceeds of the seven members, as each member paid ten piasters out of her pocket money given by their parents.  For enhancement of the Associations resources, the seven members organized fund raising parties in which they cooked and offered delicious lentils (a traditional Egyptian meal) and the guests paid for the full meal to support the Association.

In 1948, the members of the Cairo chapter, which was the mother association at the early stages, decided to establish a city to accommodate and maintain the boys and girls of the patients to isolate them from the source of infection. As such, the Association leased around 30 Feddans at Kilo 1 Cairo/Fayoum Desert Road at a nominal rent from the Government. Such land was part of the desert with only a number of shelters historically used by the British army during the Second World War The Association started development gradually and with the consistent, dedicated and persevere efforts of its members, as well as the cooperation of the various competent governmental agencies, the Health Improvement Gity flourished into a full social development and services city, including educational, cultural, social, entertainment, health and rehabilitation activities. The City now includes: accommodation quarters (girls & boys), development and training center, three schools for different educational stages for boys and girls, playgrounds, nursery and sports center. The head office building in Cairo indudes the management, a workshop, permanent exhibition, outpatient clinics and the nursery. And our struggle to assist combat poverty and improve the health of Egyptians continues.