Latest news with #HananBalkhy
Zawya
12-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat Discusses Strengthening Health Policies in the Medium-Term Development Plan with World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, received Dr. Hanan Balkhy, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, during her visit to Egypt. The meeting was attended by Dr. Nima Saeed, WHO Representative to Egypt, and focused on ways to strengthen joint cooperation. At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat welcomed Dr. Hanan Balkhy, and lauded the constructive collaboration between the Egyptian government and WHO through national plans and presidential initiatives. The Minister expressed aspiration for further cooperation in light of the state's prioritization of developing healthcare services and implementing the Universal Health Insurance System. During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reviewed the mandate and work files of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and its role in preparing the economic and social development plan and managing public investments for various sectors. She highlighted the coordination with international development partners to enhance the role of UN organizations in Egypt, especially given the Ministry's role as the national coordinator and rapporteur for the 2030 Agenda. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the ongoing efforts to strengthen multilateral and bilateral development partnerships, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 'UNSDCF' (2023–2027), and bilateral relations with development partners. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat referred to the new Planning Law in Egypt and its integration with the unified Public Finance Law. She noted that the Ministry is also working on developing the annual economic and social development plan, and starting from the next fiscal year 2026/2027, a medium-term plan for three years with clear targets will be developed, which will promote evidence- and data-based development policies. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that ongoing cooperation with WHO is central to Egypt's comprehensive national vision and reflects the state's commitment to achieving the primary goal of Egypt Vision 2030: "Improving the quality of life for all Egyptians and raising their living standards." H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also indicated that providing equitable and high-quality healthcare is a fundamental human right and a key tool for achieving social justice and national development. H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the progress in Egypt's GDP for the third quarter of the last fiscal year, which recorded 4.7%, exceeding expectations despite regional challenges and global tensions. She also noted the targets of the economic and social development plan for the current fiscal year, which allocates approximately 45% of government investments to various human development sectors. For her part, Dr. Hanan Balkhy expressed gratitude to the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation for the continuous coordination and ongoing cooperation to support UN organizations through international partnerships. She affirmed WHO's appreciation for its partnership with the Egyptian government and praised Egypt's advancements in combating diseases and enhancing healthcare services, as well as strengthening pharmaceutical security through the expansion of medicine and vaccine manufacturing. The two sides also discussed cooperation within the framework of WHO's "Health in All Policies" approach, which aims to integrate health considerations into policymaking across all government sectors. In this regard, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that this approach aligns with the state's endeavors to foster evidence-based policymaking and develop Egypt's planning system by starting the preparation of a medium-term plan from the next fiscal year. She also underscored Egypt's Integrated National Financing Strategy (E-INFS) for Sustainability and Development, which represents a roadmap for financing development across various sectors, including health and human development sectors. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt, WHO discuss expanding health cooperation, development initiatives
Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Eastern Mediterranean, at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to explore avenues for deepening cooperation in public health and development, according to an official statement released Sunday. During the meeting, Abdel Ghaffar commended the strong and enduring partnership between Egypt and the WHO, expressing appreciation for the organisation's ongoing support of national health initiatives. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to expanding joint efforts to enhance healthcare outcomes. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, stated that the talks reviewed the current framework of cooperation and explored future opportunities, including strategies for human capital development and scientific approaches to reducing road traffic accidents—a key public health concern in Egypt. The discussions also highlighted Egypt's success in implementing early detection and screening campaigns, particularly in cancer prevention, which have demonstrated tangible positive results. The WHO delegation praised Egypt's efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, describing them as a global model for effective policy implementation. Further dialogue addressed key strategic priorities such as institutional governance reform, digital health transformation, and efforts to localize pharmaceutical and vaccine production. These initiatives are central to Egypt's broader vision of achieving health security and self-sufficiency in critical medical supplies. Balkhy commended Egypt's humanitarian leadership, particularly its role in receiving and treating injured individuals from regional conflict zones, including Palestine and Sudan. She expressed gratitude for the Ministry's commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services in the face of ongoing regional challenges. The visit underscored the shared determination of Egypt and the WHO to strengthen their collaboration in addressing public health needs, fostering innovation, and advancing healthcare systems across the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Daily News Egypt
02-06-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt becomes first country in Eastern Mediterranean to meet WHO target for hepatitis B control
Egypt has become the first country in the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region to meet the WHO target for hepatitis B control, a milestone achievement officially recognized during a ceremony held in Cairo on Sunday. At the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar received a formal certificate from WHO, confirming Egypt's success in achieving the benchmark for reducing hepatitis B prevalence among children and maintaining sustained vaccine coverage. According to national surveys conducted between 2008 and 2024, hepatitis B prevalence among individuals under 60 has declined by 15% since 2015, while rates among children under ten have dropped by 50%. Notably, prevalence among children under five now stands at below 1%—the threshold established by WHO for hepatitis B control. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, praised Egypt's public health infrastructure and long-standing commitment to immunization. She highlighted that Egypt has maintained over 90% coverage of the hepatitis B third-dose vaccine for more than a decade, as well as consistent coverage of the birth dose for five consecutive years. 'This is a turning point in Egypt's healthcare journey,' said Abdel Ghaffar. 'It reflects our national commitment to prevention, immunization, and universal health coverage, in alignment with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's vision for health security.' The success was largely driven by Egypt's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), which achieved over 95% vaccine coverage, providing free hepatitis B vaccines to all newborns—Egyptian and non-Egyptian alike. The program also ensures immediate birth doses and immunoglobulin for infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers. Egypt also expanded immunization access to high-risk populations, including healthcare workers, dialysis patients, people living with HIV, and household contacts of hepatitis B carriers. These efforts were supported by upgrades to the digital infrastructure that improved vaccine tracking, reduced waste, and ensured equitable service delivery across the country. WHO Representative in Egypt, Naeema Al-Gasseer, commended Egypt for its technical capacity and long-term planning. 'Egypt fully deserves this recognition. It is a testament to what can be achieved through coordinated health policy and sustained investment in public health.' Beyond immunization, the Ministry of Health launched the Egyptian Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance (EVMA) to localize vaccine production and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience, a key pillar in Egypt's drive toward health system sustainability. Hesham Sateet, Head of the Unified Procurement Authority, emphasized the importance of securing vaccines and medical supplies through transparent, efficient mechanisms. 'This achievement would not have been possible without the full backing of Egypt's political leadership and the close coordination among state institutions,' he said. Ali El-Ghamrawy, President of the Egyptian Drug Authority, added that local manufacturing and regulatory governance are central to Egypt's broader health strategy, which is aligned with Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 'The Egyptian experience proves that with strategic planning, institutional coordination, and political will, even complex public health challenges can be overcome,' Abdel Ghaffar concluded, expressing gratitude to frontline health workers and international partners who supported Egypt's journey.
Muscat Daily
31-05-2025
- Health
- Muscat Daily
Region has highest youth smoking rate in the world: WHO
Cairo, Egypt – The Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest youth smoking rate in the world, according to World Health Organization Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy. 'We must act to protect the next generation. Let us stand together and make it crystal clear. No more tricks. No more traps. Let's unite for a tobacco-free future,' she said on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2025, held on Saturday under the banner 'Bright Products. Dark Intentions'. This year's theme sheds light on the tobacco industry's tactics to lure women and young people into addiction through flavoured and colourful products. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death globally, with the Eastern Mediterranean Region bearing a significant burden. The region has the highest smoking rates among adolescent boys, with countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt ranking among the highest globally. The promotion of new nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, has led to higher dependency rates among vulnerable groups, WHO stated. Globally, 37mn children aged 13–15 years use tobacco. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, smoking rates in some areas have reached 43% among adolescent boys (aged 13–15 years) and 20% among adolescent girls. The highest prevalence of tobacco use among boys is recorded in the occupied Palestinian territory (West Bank) at 43.3%, followed by Jordan at 33.9% and Syria at 31.6%. Alarmingly, the gap in tobacco use between men and women is narrowing, with more women and girls taking up smoking, exposing them to health risks such as cervical cancer, osteoporosis and fertility issues.
Days of Palestine
31-05-2025
- Health
- Days of Palestine
WHO: Gaza's Children Are Dying from Hunger
DaysofPal – Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the World Health Organization (WHO), confirmed that children in Gaza are dying of hunger, as famine reaches catastrophic levels under Israel's ongoing blockade. Speaking during the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, Dr. Balkhy addressed the dire humanitarian and health crisis in the Gaza Strip, which has endured more than 20 months of Israeli military aggression and siege. 'The health infrastructure in Gaza is essentially destroyed,' she stated. 'People are living in dangerously unhygienic conditions. Hygiene is the cornerstone of health—and it is simply absent in Gaza.' Dr. Balkhy emphasized that the healthcare system is collapsing. Only a handful of hospitals remain partially operational, while a devastating shortage of medical supplies persists. 'Roughly 41–42% of essential medications are completely unavailable, the same applies to key vaccines. Additionally, around 64% of medical equipment is no longer functioning,' she said. Despite these challenges, she praised the resilience of health workers in Gaza who continue to provide care with minimal resources. Addressing the delivery of humanitarian aid, Dr. Balkhy revealed that 51 WHO aid trucks remain stuck at Gaza's border, unable to enter. 'We're trying to distribute what we can from WHO warehouses, but the incoming food since the eleventh week of this blockade is far from adequate.' 'Hunger and famine levels are now extremely high. People urgently need food and basic nutrition. Children are dying—some from hunger alone,' she warned. 'When people don't eat, they starve. Without food, without medicine or treatment—people die. This is the reality,' she concluded. Since March 2, Israel has maintained a near-total closure of border crossings, blocking humanitarian aid—especially food—into Gaza. This deliberate starvation policy has pushed over 2.4 million Palestinians to the brink of famine, with mounting deaths from hunger and preventable disease. Shortlink for this post:
