Assiut University Hospitals in Upper Egypt are set to receive the country’s first integrated artificial intelligence-powered radiotherapy system, following an agreement between the Arab African International Bank (AAIB) and Siemens Healthineers, the bank announced Thursday.
The project, funded by AAIB, marks the first time a private Egyptian bank has supported the procurement of a complete radiation therapy system. It will include a Linear Accelerator (TrueBeam) and a CT-Simulator, designed to serve oncology patients throughout Upper Egypt and beyond, according to AAIB officials.
Tamer Waheed, Deputy Chairperson and Managing Director of AAIB, stated the initiative builds on the bank’s commitment to community development in underserved regions. “This advanced radiotherapy system represents a turning point in the treatment path for oncology patients, providing modern technologies that contribute to improving treatment results and reducing side effects,” Waheed said.
The integrated system will utilize artificial intelligence to optimize treatment planning, aiming to improve the precision of radiation delivery and minimize errors, AAIB stated. The technology is as well expected to shorten treatment session times, increase patient comfort, and reduce waiting lists by streamlining the planning and execution phases of radiotherapy.
Diaa El-Shennawy, Head of Sales at Siemens Healthineers Egypt, emphasized the growing importance of integrating diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy in modern healthcare. “This partnership establishes a model for oncology treatment that enhances medical decision-making and patient safety while supporting the performance of medical teams,” El-Shennawy said.
Mohamed El-Shahawy, Head of Varian Egypt and North East Africa, added that the system is designed to ensure a high degree of accuracy throughout the treatment process, from initial dose calculations to real-time tumor targeting. “We are not just providing a radiation device, but an integrated and advanced system to ensure a precise, fast, and safe treatment journey,” El-Shahawy said.
Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, described the acquisition of the linear accelerator as a “technical breakthrough” and the first of its kind for Egyptian university hospitals. He characterized the collaboration with AAIB as a strategic partnership focused on improving healthcare access for patients in Upper Egypt.
The collaboration between AAIB, Siemens Healthineers, and Assiut University represents a new model for expanding access to advanced healthcare solutions in underserved communities, according to AAIB. A cooperation protocol between the university and AAIB was initially signed in December 2024, with a five-year term to develop the infrastructure of university hospitals and enhance healthcare, educational, and environmental systems in the region, according to AAIB.
In January 2025, AAIB donated medical devices and equipment worth over EGP 8 million to the University Children’s Hospital, including electric chairs, incubators, capsules, bile machines, and dialysis machines, further demonstrating the bank’s commitment to supporting Assiut University Hospitals. Assiut University Hospitals also received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for three of its medical sectors in 2024.
Assiut University is currently following up on the work plan for a new university oncology hospital project, with ongoing examination of the latest developments in its construction and implementation.
