Aswan's Sand

A few days ago, the German expert (Bedouno Sanouni) arrived to Egypt to undertake a research. He wanted to measure the "radon" element in some tourist areas, such as Aswan, To decide whether they are proper for curing many diseases such as rheumatoid and rheumatism. Dr. Magdi Michael, supervisor of Isis resort in Aswan, states that since Pharaohs time, Aswan was known for its environmental therapy. Pictures on the walls of the Comombo temple reveal that.

In the sixties, a group from Sweden, including five suffering joint-inflammation, came to Aswan. During their visit they felt improvement of their joints and consequently prolonged their stay in Aswan. On leaving, they were 100% cured. Even before that time, following the doctor's advice, Agha-khan came to Aswan for treatment of allergy and joint-inflammation. At that time, people of Aswan used to bury patients in sand. Covered every day by sand, only for a few days, a patient used to feel better or even totally cured.

This was the beginning, then the National Centre for researches took samples from the sand to analyze it. Experiments proved that such was black sand proper for curing joint-rheumatoid. Under the supervision of the National Centre for researches, many patients were sent to Aswan for treatment. In places prepared for therapy, patients lay down while doctors' assistants cover them with black sand. Patients must be buried in the sand two hours per day, for 21 or 28 days. Till now, it is scientifically proved that Aswan is a proper place for curing such diseases. Dr. Venes Kamel Gouda, Minister of Scientific Research, was invited to follow up the project and conditions of patients and to see that the experiment proved successful. Results revealed that 95% of patients treated were cured.

Sun and Sand

Dr. Maher Yussif, head of the Rheumatoid Section in the National Centre, set a programme for environmental treatment of patients suffering rheumatoid in Aswan Oasis resort. Exposure to black sand bathes, as well as the sun, rich in ultra violet rays, for three consecutive weeks result in remarkable improvement in the patients' condition and a huge decrease throughout 6 months. He adds that environmental therapy in Aswan Oasis is not only natural treatment, but also is a way to invigorate the immunity system of patients, thus decreasing rheumatoid and rapid blood precipitation.

Dr. Nabil Abu El Einein, head of the National Centre for Research, says that - from the scientific point of view - the reason behind the therapeutic nature of Aswan Oasis is the dense ultra violet rays-reflected from the mountains surrounding the Island, and from the Nile, as well as the permanent dry pollution-free atmosphere of Aswan.

Dr. Magdi Michael refutes statements that black sand is being transported from Safaga to Aswan; testifying that Aswan is known for its therapeutic nature long ago. Researches carried out by the German expert Bruno Sansouni, professor of analytic chemistry and head of the International Advisory Board for Water and Environmental Therapy, and Dr. Atef Alian, proved that black sand in Safaga - used for rheumatoid treatment - contains useful radioactivity estimated to be twice the amount in that of yellow sand.

Aldakhla Oasis

Aldakhla Oasis is known for its natural hot wells proper for treatment of rheumatism and chronic cold. Although scientific research did not reach that place yet, practical experiments and people's experience there proved the credibility of such facts. Temperatures of wells' water- there range between 37 and 45 degree C.

International tourism reports reveal that incomes of European touristic countries highly increase due to the therapeutic season - though the season is only limited to summer.

In Egypt, however, this season goes on for the whole year because suitable environmental elements do exist throughout the year. Egypt is also rich in mineral water and medical plants, especially in Sinai. The industrial world has recently focused on this domain of environmental therapy due to its vital role in a world of civilization and modernity whose stresses result in many diseases of the age such as tension, restlessness, heart and early aging diseases, rheumatism and skin diseases.

Safaga

After the success achieved in treating psoriasis disease in Safaga - which was declared in an international conference held last June under the auspices of Mrs. Mubarak - the National Centre for Researches embarked on a project for treating patients suffering psoriasis but who cannot afford such treatment. Patients are sent to Safaga where they undergo treatment under medical Supervision. Treatment goes on for almost 4 weeks during which patients are cured.

Medical oasis in Sinai

President Hosni Mubarak inaugurated the largest ever military hospital in Sinai, just south of El-Tor, where all patients can gaze at the blue waters of the Gulf of Suez from their rooms. The 291-bed hospital is the first in a series of military medical facilities planned for selected strategic locations and population centres throughout the country. One, billed as the largest in the Middle East, is being built at kilometre 45 on the Cairo-Ismailia highway.

It will be constructed and equipped with US aid, and American medical crews will operate it for three years, during which time they will train medical teams. The hospital will then be turned over to Egypt. Construction is expected to be completed in 1998.

Another military hospital is being built at Fayed, about halfway between Ismailia and Suez along the Suez Canal.

The Sinai hospital has a total area of 75,000 square meters. It consists of four major structures, a two-storey main building with four wings to house the patients, two resthouses for doctors and nursing personnel and a hotel to accommodate patients' relatives. The buildings cover a total of 5,200 square metres, while the remaining land has been studded with lawns and trees. There is also a special helicopter ramp. Major General Moqbil El-Shafei, director of the Military Engineering Crops, said, "This is the first hospital of its kind in Sinai."

The hospital., officially named the Mubarak International Military Hospital, was built at a cost of LE 42 million. Besides military personnel, the hospital will extend emergency medical services to the residents of the South Sinai Governorate, as well as tourists visiting the region. South Sinai Governor Mamdouh El-Zohairy said that, specifically, the hospital will serve tourists visiting the resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, St Catherine's and Nuweiba, in addition to Ras Sudr, an oil-producing town on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Suez. In carrying out the hospital project, El-Zohairy said, military authorities had taken into account the mountainous terrain of the peninsula and the vast distances that have to be covered.

"Thus the hospital features a flying first aid service comprising a number of helicopters to transport passengers and offer services at any point, "El-Zohairy said. The hospital also has an international telephone service and other telecommunication facilities such as telex and fax. All its ambulances are fitted with radio facilities. The hospital is largely computerised and has the most advanced medical equipment. All patients' rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with telephones and TV sets.

The hospital has eight intensive care units, three large operating theaters, small operating theater, as well as nine out-patient clinics.

Networks to monitor Epidemic diseases coming from abroad

It has been decided to set up empowered remote-sensing monitoring networks to detect any epidemic ailments or serious contagious coming from abroad such as the rift valley fever, malaria and other environment pollutants, provided that these remote-sensing units would be fixed at the entries and inlets of the country.

Protecting Estuary at Rosetta

The Shores Protection Authority decided to execute a new scheme aimed at protecting the Nile at Rosetta City, following the erosion of about 2 kilometers of the shore's structure in the past years. Chairman of the Authority Adly Khaleefa said that a level would be erected along and parallel to the shore to protect its remaining parts, prevent their erosion both longitudinally and latitudinally.