Speaking at a healthcare supply chain event held on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Abdel Ghaffar said countries should shift from reactive crisis management to proactive planning to ensure sustainable healthcare services.

According to a statement from Egypt’s Health Ministry, the minister said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed major weaknesses in healthcare supply systems, including excessive reliance on imports, weak local manufacturing and limited real-time data visibility.

He said Egypt faced challenges during the pandemic related to medical imports and price fluctuations but responded with a comprehensive strategy to strengthen resilience.

The strategy was based on three pillars: digital integration through linking more than 5,000 healthcare facilities to a real-time monitoring system, expanding local pharmaceutical production to cover between 85% and 90% of domestic medicine needs, and strengthening regional cooperation.

Abdel Ghaffar said these measures enabled Egypt to maintain essential healthcare services during the pandemic, including intensive care and dialysis services, while also implementing major public health initiatives such as screening 60 million citizens and treating 5.5 million hepatitis C patients.

He added that pharmaceutical security has become a core component of national health security and stressed the importance of reducing external dependence and ensuring continuous access to medical products.

The minister said Egypt’s Drug Authority obtaining WHO Maturity Level 3 status strengthened international confidence in Egyptian pharmaceutical products and reinforced the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for medicine and vaccine production.

He also highlighted Egypt’s unified procurement system, saying it reduced the cost of hepatitis C treatment from $900 to $40 per patient.

Abdel Ghaffar called for stronger international and regional cooperation to build more resilient health systems based on integration, technology and sustainable local manufacturing.

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In a statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Health said Abdel Ghaffar met with Robert Lucien to discuss cooperation in pharmaceutical manufacturing, vaccine and drug production, and biotechnology.

The talks also covered capacity building for healthcare personnel through training and professional education, in addition to cooperation on disease prevention, epidemic surveillance, and emergency health response mechanisms.

The two sides further explored opportunities to exchange expertise in digital health systems and healthcare data management as part of broader African cooperation efforts in the health sector.

In a separate meeting, Abdel Ghaffar discussed bilateral cooperation with Rakan Nassereldine in areas including hospital management, medical training, and combating communicable and non-communicable diseases.

The Egyptian minister reaffirmed Cairo’s support for Lebanon in addressing ongoing health and humanitarian challenges and stressed Egypt’s readiness to provide medical and technical assistance in line with Lebanon’s needs.

According to the ministry, both sides agreed to organise a visit for a Lebanese health delegation to Egypt to review the country’s universal health insurance system and exchange technical and administrative expertise.

The meeting also reviewed Egypt’s previous support for Lebanon, including shipments of medicines, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid following recent crises, notably the Beirut port explosion.

The statement added that discussions covered the outcomes of an emergency meeting of Arab health ministers held in March 2026, which approved urgent support worth $200,000 for Lebanon’s health sector.

Both sides stressed the importance of continued coordination to strengthen regional health security and improve preparedness for emergencies and crises.

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The certificate was presented during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, where Deputy Health Minister Amr Kandil accepted the recognition on behalf of Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

This milestone follows Egypt’s certification for eliminating malaria last year, underscoring the country’s broader public health and disease control successes.

Health Minister Abdel Ghaffar said the recognition affirms Egypt’s success in eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. He credited strong political leadership and ongoing healthcare reforms, while emphasizing that surveillance and prevention programs will continue to safeguard against the disease’s return.

Deputy Minister Kandil noted that neglected tropical diseases are often linked to poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and weak environmental infrastructure. He highlighted the role of Egypt’s “Decent Life” rural development initiative, which has improved living conditions in underserved villages and helped reduce the spread of tropical diseases.

Trachoma has afflicted Egyptians for thousands of years, with organized campaigns against the disease dating back to the early 20th century through mobile and specialized eye hospitals.

The Ministry of Health described the elimination of trachoma as another landmark in Egypt’s recent public health achievements, reinforcing its commitment to disease prevention and healthier communities.

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The ceremony, attended by international officials and Egyptian Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, underscored the growing role of Egypt’s specialised healthcare institutions in advancing burn treatment. According to WHO, Ahl Masr Hospital has helped raise survival rates among critical burn cases from 20% to 84%, while reducing permanent disability linked to burn injuries to around 10%.

The hospital, inaugurated in 2024, is the first and largest free specialised burn treatment facility in Africa and the Middle East, with a capacity of 60 beds. It is also the first in Egypt to perform natural skin graft procedures for burn patients and is currently collaborating with the Health Ministry on a telemedicine model to expand burn care across Egypt’s governorates.

El Sewedy said the award represents international recognition of the institution’s mission to provide specialised and integrated care for burn victims, adding that the organisation will continue to expand its medical and humanitarian partnerships.

The recognition comes as Ahl Masr works with WHO, Egypt’s Health Ministry and the Egyptian Health Council to develop a national strategy for burn treatment, prevention and rehabilitation over the next decade. The presidency described the initiative as the first of its kind globally at the national level, aimed at standardising burn care and improving service quality.

El Sewedy has previously received several international and regional honours, including the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice and recognition from the Arab League for her humanitarian work.

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In a statement, the ministry said Egyptian medical teams continue to deliver preventive and treatment services around the clock in Mecca and Medina to safeguard pilgrims’ health throughout the Hajj season.

Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said Egyptian authorities are closely monitoring pilgrims’ health conditions in coordination with Saudi health officials, noting that all reported cases remain stable.

Ahmed Mostafa, head of Egypt’s Hajj medical mission, said 946 medical services were provided on Friday alone, including 776 services through clinics in Mecca and 170 through clinics in Medina.

He added that 21 Egyptian pilgrims are currently receiving treatment in Saudi hospitals. Of those, 13 cases are in Mecca, including eight patients in inpatient wards, four in intermediate care and one in intensive care.

In Medina, eight Egyptian pilgrims remain hospitalised, including six in inpatient wards and two in intensive care units.

Mostafa said the medical mission continues to monitor all hospitalised cases closely, praising the quality of healthcare and support provided by Saudi medical institutions to Egyptian pilgrims.

The ministry added that it will maintain close health monitoring of pilgrims and continue coordination with Saudi authorities throughout the Hajj season to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

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Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with company founder Lawrence Messick to explore potential areas of cooperation in the Egyptian market. Abdel Ghaffar stressed Egypt’s commitment to providing a supportive investment environment for healthcare projects, highlighting the country’s broader strategy to strengthen pharmaceutical security and expand specialised healthcare services.

Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the talks covered opportunities in pharmaceutical manufacturing, elderly care, and clinical nutrition, in line with Egypt’s plans to diversify and enhance specialised healthcare offerings. He added that the government is keen to facilitate project implementation, encourage technology transfer, and introduce international expertise into the local market.

As part of the discussions, Abdel Ghaffar invited a company delegation to visit Egypt’s pharmaceutical city Gypto Pharma and the Egyptian Drug Authority to review manufacturing and regulatory capabilities and explore potential strategic partnerships.

Egypt aims to consolidate its position as a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing by attracting foreign investment and expanding domestic production capacity. The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials and company representatives via video conference, reflects Cairo’s ongoing efforts to integrate global expertise into its healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

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The services were delivered at family medicine centres and units in Port Said, Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Aswan. Ahmed El-Sobky, chairperson of the authority, announced the figures, stating that integrating mental health services into primary care facilities is a fundamental pillar for achieving comprehensive healthcare.

The authority provided more than 223,000 counselling and psychological evaluation services, which form the scientific basis for assessing cases and determining appropriate support or referral pathways. Additionally, 93,150 psychological support and counselling services were delivered to patients requiring specialised interventions within primary care facilities.

El-Sobky detailed the integrated referral system for psychiatric cases, based on clear and organised pathways according to individual needs. The authority referred 2,100 cases to the psychological support hotline 16328, 1,625 cases to the mental health and addiction treatment electronic platform, and 1,390 cases to mental health clinics. Cases requiring advanced specialised intervention were transferred to tertiary mental health and addiction treatment hospitals.

The integration aims to enhance the early detection of psychological conditions, reduce complications, accelerate access to services, and alleviate psychological and financial burdens on citizens by providing care near their residences. El-Sobky noted that the services complement the patient cycle within primary care and are conducted in continuous coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population’s General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment to ensure integration across all service levels.

The authority is continuing to train medical teams and service providers in primary care facilities on psychological support, evaluation, and case management using the latest approved scientific protocols. El-Sobky also highlighted the integration of the Port Said Psychiatric Hospital into the Egypt Healthcare Authority system as an important addition to support specialised mental health services, enhancing the capacity to provide comprehensive care including evaluation, support, treatment, and psychological rehabilitation.

The authority plans to expand mental health services across all healthcare levels, driven by the state’s vision to build an integrated health system that prioritises human physical and mental health to establish comprehensive and sustainable healthcare.

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Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that nursing staff represent one of the main pillars of Egypt’s healthcare system.

The ceremony was attended by health officials, lawmakers, representatives of the World Health Organization, and nursing professionals from across the country.

Abdel Ghaffar noted that the government places strong emphasis on developing the nursing profession as part of broader efforts to strengthen the healthcare sector and invest in human resources. He described Egyptian nurses as combining “knowledge, skill, and compassion,” and praised their role in responding to health crises.

The minister added that the government will continue expanding training and qualification programs while supporting specialized nursing fields.

International Nurses Day is observed annually on May 12, marking the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing. It has been officially recognized since 1974 by the International Council of Nurses.

Nursing Syndicate head Kawthar Mahmoud praised President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s support for medical teams and reviewed developments in nursing education in Egypt, calling on nurses to pursue continuous professional development and uphold ethical standards.

National Council for Women head Amal Emara described Egyptian nurses as “a model representing Egyptian women,” while physician Hossam Mowafy stressed that a strong nursing system is essential for the success of healthcare services.

The event concluded with honors awarded to distinguished medical and nursing professionals for their contributions to improving Egypt’s healthcare system.

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In a statement, Egypt’s Health Ministry said Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met British Ambassador to Cairo Mark Bryson-Richardson to discuss mechanisms for broadening bilateral cooperation in the medical field.

The ministry said Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the strong relations between Egypt and the United Kingdom, as well as the longstanding partnerships between the two countries, particularly in healthcare.

Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the two sides agreed to expand training programmes in cooperation with the National Health Service (NHS), including sending Egyptian doctors to the UK for advanced training and professional skills development.

Discussions also covered establishing a long-term framework for cooperation in clinical training, scientific research, digital health, and hospital administration.

The minister stressed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships to enhance the capabilities of doctors and nursing staff nationwide and improve the quality of healthcare services.

For his part, the British ambassador praised the progress achieved in Egypt’s healthcare sector and expressed interest in deepening cooperation with the ministry.

According to the ministry, the meeting reflects Egypt’s broader efforts to modernise its healthcare system and develop internationally qualified medical professionals.

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In a statement, the ministry said medical teams are operating around the clock through clinics in Mecca and Medina to provide both preventive and treatment services to pilgrims throughout the pilgrimage season.

Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, said the overall health condition of Egyptian pilgrims remains stable, noting that continuous coordination is taking place with Saudi health authorities to ensure rapid response and medical support when needed.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Mostafa, head of Egypt’s Hajj medical mission, said that 342 healthcare services were provided on May 9 alone, including 177 services delivered through clinics in Medina and 165 through clinics in Mecca.

He added that several medical cases required hospitalisation, including three patients admitted to intensive care units, one patient placed in intermediate care, and two patients admitted to inpatient wards at hospitals in Medina.

Three additional cases were also admitted to hospitals in Mecca, including one patient in intensive care and two others receiving inpatient treatment.

Mostafa said members of the Egyptian medical mission conducted visits to hospitalised pilgrims to monitor their conditions and praised the quality and efficiency of healthcare services provided by Saudi hospitals.

The ministry added that the Egyptian medical mission will continue conducting medical follow-ups for pilgrims at their residences while maintaining close coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Egyptian pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

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