our history

For more than eight decades, The Behman has been a powerful force for the treatment of mental disorders in the Middle East, raising the standard of mental health services in the region, advocating for patients’ rights, and promoting quality clinical research and education.

Milestones in The Behman History

1940 | THE BEHMAN OPENS ITS DOORS

Dr Benjamin Behman transforms the house on top of the hill in Helwan into The Behman, the first private psychiatric hospital in Egypt.

1948 | PIONEERING THERAPIES

Dr Behman imports the first electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) equipment in the Middle East from the UK.

1951 | ‘THE VERY BEST IN THE WORLD’

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report on mental health in Egypt describes The Behman as belonging ‘to the very best in the world’ in terms of medical treatment, facilities, and level of care.

1968 | THE BEHMAN GROWS

Dr. Fathy Loza took over the management of the hospital and held service expansion as his main target, having already reached a capacity of 110 beds.

1971 | THE EGYPTIAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION

Dr Fathy Loza becomes one of the founding members of the Egyptian Psychiatric Association.

1973 | WHO COLLABORATION

The WHO recognises The Behman as a collaborative centre.

1987 | RECOGNIZING ADDICTION

The Addiction Unit is launched, making The Behman one of the first hospitals in the region to make the distinction between addiction and psychiatric illness.

1989 | THE PSYCHIATRY HUB OF THE MIDDLE EAST

The Behman organises the first regional meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the Middle East, and issues the first Arabic translation of the Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders or ‘Blue Book’ developed by the Mental Health Programme of the WHO.

1994 | INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

The Behman organises the second regional meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the Middle East.

1997 | REGIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Arab Board of Psychiatry certifies The Behman’s training programme.

1998 | A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

An academic consultant is appointed to develop and oversee the in-service training programme for psychiatric registrars and psychologists.

1999 | INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Royal College of Psychiatrists grants The Behman accreditation as a recognised training location for MRCPsych examinations.

2000 | UNIVERSITY AFFILIATION

The Behman becomes affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at Wayne State University, Michigan, USA.

2005 | THE ‘OPEN-DOOR’ POLICY

An ‘open-door’ policy is instituted in The Behman’s Addiction Unit.

2006 | A NEW ERA

Dr Nasser Loza becomes director of The Behman, ushering in a new era of expansion and progress.

2009 | HUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPIONS

The Patients’ Rights Committee is established at The Behman.

Dr Nasser Loza spearheads the passage of the new Egyptian Mental Health Law 71, 2009 in parliament, replacing the archaic 1944 law and ensuring a much wider scope for patient rights.

2010 | THE BEHMAN EXPANDS

The Behman expands to 250 beds and embraces a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.

2015 | The XXth World Congress

The Behman celebrates its 75th anniversary and organises the XXth World Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health.

2020 | A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The Behman celebrates its 80th anniversary and continues to provide exceptional psychiatric care, innovative therapies, and cutting edge educational opportunities for new generations of Egyptians.