EFG Foundation and Bank NXT Foundation Renew Partnership with Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation to Strengthen Cardiac Nursing in Egypt

The EFG Foundation for Social Development (EFG Foundation) and Bank NXT Foundation for Community Development have renewed their partnership with Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation to continue supporting the training and qualification of nurses at Aswan Heart Centre (AHC), who work across both Aswan Heart Centre and Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Centre in 6th of October City, reinforcing a shared commitment to stronger cardiac care across Egypt and a more capable healthcare system nationwide.
The renewed agreement builds on a successful multi-year collaboration and forms part of the EFG Foundation’s Disease Prevention pillar, under its Healthcare Education focus. At its core, the initiative is designed to invest in one of the most important drivers of better patient care: highly skilled nurses.
The program supports Aswan Heart Centre’s nurse fellowship, one of Egypt’s leading specialist training programs in cardiac care. Each year, the fellowship selects around 70 nurses from five universities across the country. It provides intensive, hands-on training in advanced cardiovascular care through interdisciplinary learning, mentorship, workshops, and practical clinical experience.
The program has continued to deliver strong results, with an average retention rate of around 80%. Many graduates join Aswan Heart Centre full-time, while others continue their careers in hospitals across Egypt, helping to raise the standard of care well beyond Aswan.
Mona Zulficar, Chairperson of EFG Holding and the EFG Foundation, said: “We are proud to continue this partnership with Bank NXT Foundation and Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation. Strong healthcare systems depend on skilled, committed professionals, and this program helps equip nurses with the training and practical experience needed to deliver high-quality care to patients and communities across Egypt.”
Hanaa Helmy, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of EFG Holding and CEO of the EFG Foundation, added: “Investing in healthcare talent is one of the most effective ways to build a stronger system for the future. Through this collaboration, we aim to give nurses the expertise and hands-on experience they need to grow in their profession and support more resilient, sustainable healthcare services.”
Tarek Kabil, Chairman of Bank NXT and the Bank NXT Foundation, said: “We are pleased to renew this partnership and build on the progress achieved so far. Supporting nurses is one of the most direct ways to improve patient care. Through this program, we are helping strengthen the quality of healthcare services and contribute to a more capable healthcare system across Egypt.”
Dina El Gazzar, Chief Development and Fundraising Officer at The Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, said: “We are honoured to renew this partnership with EFG Foundation and Bank NXT, and are proud to witness the continued support from these esteemed entities. This fellowship helps newly graduated nurses make the transition into specialized cardiovascular care through a training model that combines international best practice with day-to-day clinical experience. Mentorship, interdisciplinary rounds, workshops, and self-learning all play an important role in preparing nurses for the demands of high-quality cardiac care.”
The partnership also supports broader sustainable development goals, including UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. More importantly, it reflects a long-term commitment by all three partners to practical, lasting improvements in Egypt’s healthcare sector.
Through its integrated development approach, the EFG Foundation continues to work closely with government institutions and civil society partners across Egypt to deliver meaningful and measurable impact in healthcare, education, and community development.