HRH Princess Haya Highlights Need for Medical Research

ASWAN, Egypt, January 8 - HRH Princess Haya Al Hussein of Jordan yesterday called for more
investment in medical research in a keynote speech at a medical conference
hosted by the Aswan Heart Centre.

"The progress that we have seen in the last 25 years in paediatric
cardiology could not have happened without adequate funding. Many efforts
have been made, but much more needs to be done as we acquire more experience
and develop better relationships with international groups to spread the
benefits of medical research as widely as possible," She said.

Princess Haya delivered the keynote address at the inaugural meeting of
the Centre's Science and Practice Series, the Valvular Heart Disease Update.
The meeting, organised by the Magdi Yacoub Foundation, will continue until
the 9th of January. Princess Haya serves as Honorary President of the Chain
of Hope, a distinguished academic partner of the Aswan Heart Centre.

In recognition of Princess Haya's support, the Centre, upon completion of
its new premises in 2011, will name its paediatric unit after Sheikha Al
Jalila Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of HH Sheikh
Mohammed and HRH Princess Haya.

"With the Sheikha Al Jalila Paediatric Unit at Aswan Heart Centre, the
recently opened Sheikha Al Jalila House for the Walter Sisulu Paediatric
Cardiac Centre for Africa (WSPCCA) and the Al Jalila Children's Specialty
Hospital, each of these organisations, whether in Egypt, South Africa or the
United Arab Emirates, are a part of a triangle of knowledge, capitalizing on
the research, education and innovation that stems from within," She said.

Developments in cardiac research were a major focus at the medical
conference, which also included remarks by HE Dr. Hatem El Gabaly, Egypt's
Minister of Health, General Moustafa El Sayed, Governor of Aswan, Dr. Ali
Ramzy, President of the Egyptian Cardiac Society and Sir Magdi Yacoub,
Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery National Heart and Lung Institute,
Founder of the Chain of Hope foundation as well as the Aswan Heart Centre.

The conference will host a number of distinguished professors and experts
in the field, shedding light on recent medical and technological developments
in diagnosis and management as well as advancements in basic and molecular
research. Live surgeries by Sir Magdi Yacoub will be performed on the third
day of the mission demonstrating a variety of aortic valve surgeries.

HRH Princess Haya's participation in this conference is within the
context of Her work to protect the rights of children and underprivileged
communities to have access to food, healthcare, education and security. She
pays particular attention to the health sector by supporting and initiating
health programs and projects locally, regionally and internationally. Through
Her interest in paediatric cardiology, Princess Haya has encouraged the
creation of other centres of excellence for that specialty in the region.

Lara Al Nagi of the Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, +971-4-329-2333, lara at hrhoffice.ae, www.princesshaya.net