An official statement issued by the Baheya Foundation for Breast Cancer in Egypt has sparked a wide wave of criticism and anger on social media platforms.
This came in the wake of accusations and allegations that the organization was preventing the provision of free treatment services to Sudanese women suffering from breast tumors.
In an attempt to clarify its legal and humanitarian position, the organization issued a detailed statement confirming that its primary goal since its inception has been to treat Egyptian women who cannot afford the exorbitant costs of treatment.
Bahia pointed out that the donations and alms it receives from individuals and institutions inside Egypt are directed exclusively to the treatment of Egyptian patients, in accordance with the legal and Sharia regulations governing the work of the institution and the purposes for which these funds were collected.
The foundation explained in its statement that the treatment of non-Egyptian patients is not prohibited, but rather it takes place through another route represented by the "economic treatment department" which is paid, or under cooperation protocols and special agreements with their countries' embassies and international bodies that bear the full financial costs of their medical care.
She stressed that there is a complete and strict separation between this commercial/cooperative section and the free charitable services that are fully funded by donations and allocated to Egyptian women.
Despite the institution's attempts to refute the controversy, the debate continued online, with social media users divided between those defending the hospital's decision and those sharply criticizing it.
Those who support the foundation’s statement believe that the hospital administration is applying the law honestly, and that zakat and donation funds have specific legitimate uses stipulated by the donors to help needy Egyptian women, and it is not legally permissible to spend them in any other way.
In contrast, a wide segment of followers poured out their anger at the wording of the statement, considering that the medical and humanitarian message should transcend considerations of nationality or race.
One blogger commented on Facebook, saying, "It's unfortunate that a hospital the size of Baheya had to issue such a statement because of a campaign about treating a Sudanese woman. Human life is more important than financial considerations, and these women were forced to leave their country due to the war." Another activist criticized the statement as "unfortunate," emphasizing that charitable work and healthcare should not discriminate between patients in need based on identity or nationality.
