The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

(Image credit: El Meezan)

Dr. Mohamed Mashally, 76, has become a symbol of good faith and noble work for the people of Tanta, and for the rest of the world. He was finally awarded last Thursday, and he continues to carry the title, Doctor of the Poor.

He only charges 10LE per visit, and the charge can go even lower to 5LE at his other clinic in Tanta. For those who cannot afford it, he does not ask for money at all.

“A 10-year-old kid with diabetes had a very poor family. When he asked his mother for insulin, she told him that she could not afford to buy it, and the only money that she had would cover their dinner,” recounts Dr. Mashally to Hadret El Mowaten about why he cares for the poor.

Dr. Mashally added that the kid later set himself on fire, because he did not want to be a burden to his mother. He held the kid in his arm while he breathed his last breaths. “The little boy died and it was such a tragedy. The incident really affected me and made me The Doctor of the Poor.”

Taha Hussein’s novel, Al Mo’azaboun Fi Al Ard (The Tormented on Earth) also had an influence on Dr. Mashally. It talked about the poor and encouraged people to have more empathy, and the doctor faces no problem leading a simple life in return for serving a greater cause.

Check out one of his earlier interviews with Mahmoud Saad via El Nahar…