Egypt Comedian Ahmed Helmy Feared In ICU

Egyptian comedian Ahmed Helmy was admitted into the intensive care unit of a hospital in the United States following the surgical excision of a cancerous tumor, sources close to his family were quoted as saying.

However, Ashraf Abdel Ghafour, chief of the actors’ guild in Egypt, denied that he had been alerted of the news, Al Arabiya.Net reported.

According to media reports, the source revealed that Helmy’s condition is improving but it remains unclear when he will be discharged as the decision is up to his supervising doctor.

The source, who chose to remain anonymous, said Helmy had been in the United States for four months now.

He was on a trip to Germany where his wife was receiving treatment for issues with her immune system when, following symptoms, doctors found a malignant cancerous tumor that had to be extracted, the source added.

The tumor was reportedly in his back, Egypt’s al-Youm al-Sabi’ newspaper reported, adding that he had undergone the procedure 10 days ago in complete secrecy.

Helmy is a celebrated actor and comedian in Egypt and throughout the Arab world. He began his career in the 1980s on a comedy television show in which he would interview children.

He is known for his funny films that tend to address social issues and phenomena.

Helmy also worked with the United Nation’s World Food Program and was appointed one of their ambassadors.

Source : alarabiya