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Daily News Egypt
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation
Egypt's Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, on Tuesday inaugurated the Excellence in Neurosurgery Conference—a major international scientific gathering that unites top specialists from Egypt and around the world to explore cutting-edge advancements and share expertise in neurosurgery. In his opening remarks, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the significance of the conference, which comes amid major progress in a field that exemplifies the fusion of advanced technology, multidisciplinary collaboration, and skilled human resources to deliver superior patient care. He noted that the Ministry of Health has prioritized neurosurgery through its inclusion in the Presidential Initiative to Eliminate Waiting Lists, launched in 2018. This initiative has enabled over 183,000 neurosurgical operations and 14,000 cerebral catheterizations, ultimately saving thousands of lives. The minister also pointed to the establishment of seven internationally accredited stroke centers, with plans underway to expand the network so that every governorate has access to rapid intervention and improved outcomes. During the conference, Abdel Ghaffar witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian General Authority for Healthcare and the Egyptian Health Council. The agreement aims to unify training and specialization frameworks in line with Egypt's Vision 2030, which seeks to build a modern, high-quality healthcare system. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairperson of the General Authority for Healthcare, congratulated Abdel Ghaffar on receiving the Distinguished Leadership Award from the European Council for African and Middle Eastern Companies (ECAM). The award recognizes his leadership of the Arab Health Ministers Council over four years and his efforts to advance Egypt's health sector. El-Sobky noted that under Egypt's Universal Health Insurance system, more than 10,000 neurosurgical procedures have been carried out—75% of which were complex, high-skill surgeries, including 6,000 performed in the past year alone. He credited these remarkable achievements to strong political backing and investment in modern technology, such as surgical microscopes and neuro-endoscopy systems, which have significantly enhanced patient outcomes and shortened recovery times. Hamdy Nabawy, conference chairman, underscored the importance of the event as a platform for scientific dialogue that will help raise standards of care in this highly specialized field. Professor Si-Hun Kim of Korea University expressed gratitude for the invitation, sharing his experience of performing spinal surgeries in Egypt. He emphasized that ensuring pain-free recovery and the best possible patient outcomes should remain at the heart of every neurosurgical practice.
Daily News Egypt
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative
Egypt and the World Bank have discussed strengthening cooperation to support the country's economic development, with the bank proposing that Egypt join a new global health initiative, the planning ministry said on Tuesday. The proposal was made during a meeting between Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, and the World Bank's Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, Stephane Guimbert. According to a ministry statement, Guimbert presented an overview of a new World Bank-led global health initiative that aims to expand basic health coverage to an additional 1.5 billion people in middle- and low-income countries. He raised the idea of Egypt joining as a key participant, citing the country's significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly the implementation of its Universal Health Insurance system, which is one of the largest social protection projects in the region. For her part, Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the partnership with the World Bank Group as a 'knowledge partner' to the Egyptian government. She highlighted joint efforts to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to achieve economic development, support macroeconomic stability, promote industrial development, mobilise foreign direct investment (FDI), and increase investment in human capital. The minister also outlined the government's national narrative for economic development, a framework which she said aims to create a unified development discourse. Its pillars include preparing a National Strategy for Industrial Development to increase exports, enhancing the value-added of manufacturing, expanding the green economy's contribution to GDP, and promoting investment in human capital. The meeting also covered updates on the World Bank's existing portfolio in Egypt, including the Universal Health Insurance Project, the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Programme, the Takaful and Karama social safety net programme, the Upper Egypt Local Development Program, and the Cairo-Alexandria Trade Logistics Development Project.
Daily News Egypt
20-07-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Roche helps Egypt expand digital pathology and AI diagnostics
Roche Diagnostics is supporting Egypt's expansion of digital pathology and the integration of artificial intelligence into its public health system to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, particularly in underserved regions, a company official said. The initiatives are being rolled out in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system, according to Liliane Kanaan, North Africa Lead and General Manager for Egypt at Roche Diagnostics. Egypt is one of the first countries in Africa to adopt digital pathology at scale. The technology digitises tissue samples, allowing them to be viewed and analysed remotely. 'By reducing diagnostic turnaround times and enabling telepathology, this innovation will improve both the speed and equity of care delivery,' Kanaan said. 'In underserved communities, digital pathology will facilitate timely first opinions, helping patients receive a diagnosis locally without the need for extensive travel.' For more complex cases, the system allows for rapid second opinions from national or international experts. 'This significantly decreases the travel time and physical burden on both patients and healthcare professionals, while also accelerating diagnosis and treatment planning,' Kanaan added. Roche is also collaborating with national stakeholders to integrate AI into diagnostic workflows by deploying digital pathology scanners and AI-powered tools to modernise hospital pathology laboratories. Kanaan said this helps reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and directly addresses a critical skills gap. 'Notably, this solution directly addresses the severe shortage of pathologists across Africa, where statistics reveal there is approximately one pathologist for every one million people—compared to a ratio of about 1 to 25,000 in countries like the United States and United Kingdom,' she said. The company, which has operated in Egypt for over two decades, has been involved in several national health programmes. Kanaan cited collaborations that have contributed to national health outcomes, including Egypt's Hepatitis C elimination campaign. 'Roche played a key role in deploying national screening efforts, contributing to Egypt's recognition as a WHO Golden Tier country for HCV elimination—an achievement that reflects both the scale and effectiveness of the programme,' she stated. Other past partnerships include supporting the national blood safety strategy with Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technology at the National Blood Transfusion Center and providing over two million tests during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company continues to support the Presidential Breast Cancer Initiative, launched in 2019, which has screened more than 30 million women to date. Aligning with national priorities like the Presidential Women's Health Initiative ensures innovation addresses the population's most pressing needs, Kanaan said. As part of this, Roche supported the upgrade of more than 26 public pathology laboratories across Egypt. 'These 26 upgraded sites enabled us to deliver over 20,000 full breast cancer diagnostic panels, an essential step in defining effective treatment plans for patients,' she said. Roche is also participating in the national cervical cancer early detection campaign, which has screened more than 20,000 women in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs). To meet the region's specific needs, Kanaan said the company localises its solutions by engaging with stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, UHI, military hospitals, academic institutions and NGOs. This involves providing comprehensive solutions that go beyond product sales to include capacity-building programmes, lab software and health consultancy services tailored to local infrastructure and regulations.
Middle East
14-07-2025
- Health
- Middle East
OPEN// PM pledges full support for PPP's development projects
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, July 14 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli on Monday reaffirmed his support for any partnership or joint effort involving the State, civil society and the private sector to implement development projects. This came during a meeting held on the sidelines of his visit to Alexandria Governorate to review the institutional preparations underway to integrate the coastal governorate into Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System. The meeting presented a proposed project to establish a healthcare network through cooperation between the governorate, an investment alliance, and the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC). The meeting was attended by Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Sherif El Sherbini, Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled, Deputy Minister of Housing Sayed Ismail, Alexandria Deputy Governor Amira Salah Abdel Hakim, Head of the Central Agency for Reconstruction Mahmoud Nassar and President of FEDCOC Ahmed El Wakeel as well as board member Emad Abdel Wahab. During the meeting, businessman Ahmed Tarek gave a presentation on the project, which aims to establish a healthcare network in cooperation with the governorate, an investment alliance, and FEDCOC to facilitate Alexandria's integration into the universal insurance system. Tarek said the network seeks to restructure and develop Alexandria's healthcare system, creating the governorate's first large-scale, tech-enabled primary care network. It will comprise 70 smart digital clinics distributed across Alexandria, offering a fully integrated model of care, with investments exceeding EGP 1 billion to support primary, preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services and position Alexandria as a hub for medical tourism to Africa and the wider region. The project includes 70 comprehensive primary care units selected based on population density to ensure scientifically grounded coverage. Of these, 35 clinics will be fully financed and operated by the investment alliance led by Alexandria Governorate, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and a group of local investors to guarantee geographical fairness and inclusiveness. The remaining 35 clinics will be owned by groups of doctors (three to four doctors per clinic), enabling 100 to 150 Egyptian physicians to become partners in the national health transformation. Tarek said this model supports professional empowerment and broadens local ownership. It includes a contingency financing plan from the investment alliance to ensure continuity if any participating doctor encounters financial difficulties, preventing delays or gaps in implementation, he added. He outlined the network's core objectives: expanding access to healthcare across Alexandria through smart, accessible services, providing top-quality care via accredited smart facilities and teams trained under B well global standards, reducing costs through integration with the universal insurance system, and developing AI-driven systems for appointment booking, medical diagnostics, and clinical and administrative decision support. Tarek also highlighted the roles of key ministries, especially that of Health and Population, as well as the Alexandria Governorate and the Universal Health Insurance Authority, which are facilitating the project by providing technical and logistical support, local infrastructure, and health coverage data. The authority will also integrate beneficiaries under agreed frameworks, while the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology supplies essential AI applications. For his part, FEDCOC's Wakeel said the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is a core partner in this healthcare network, serving as a link between investors and government sectors to unite investment efforts behind a shared national vision for supporting healthcare. The chamber also offers data needed for successful investment decisions, ensuring sustainability for all stakeholders, he said. Wakeel noted that the new system guarantees comprehensive coverage for all private-sector workers, maximizing the mutual benefits of this new partnership model. He stressed that the project exemplifies fruitful cooperation among the State, civil society, and the private sector, and could be replicated in other governorates through local chambers of commerce. FEDCOC board member Emad Abdel Wahab said that success in Alexandria would accelerate integration of citizens across Egypt into the universal insurance system. The project, he stressed, is not merely infrastructure, it lays the foundation for a comprehensive national vision to shape Egypt's healthcare future, strengthens medical sector infrastructure, expedites Alexandria's inclusion in the insurance system, and empowers doctors through ownership and professional development. Also, he continued, it pioneers a shift in primary and secondary care using technology, data, and training, improving public health and reducing pressure on hospitals. Additionally, the initiative aims for direct economic returns by incorporating Egypt's informal health sector, expanding the tax base, and positioning Egypt as a regional medical tourism hub for African and Gulf patients, he said. It also offers a scalable strategic model to extend smart healthcare coverage nationwide, he added. Madbouli endorsed the proposal, announcing an immediate meeting to discuss its execution with Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. He pledged full support to ensure its success, requesting a realistic, clear implementation plan as soon as possible for review. Alexandria's governor said discussions have already begun with global technology companies to prepare the project's technical infrastructure. The governorate has also initiated early institutional and legislative measures, holding direct coordination meetings with the Universal Health Insurance Authority, which set standards the municipal authorities will be committed to meeting on time to ensure the highest quality and efficiency, he added. (MENA) M S H/R E E
Mid East Info
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
PharmaJet® Enters into MOU Agreement with Egyptian UPA and EVA Pharma to provide Needle-Free Delivery for Routine Immunization in Egypt
PharmaJet®, a company that strives to improve the performance and outcomes of injectables with its enabling needle-free injection technology, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) and EVA Pharma, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies driving healthcare innovation and access across the Middle East and Africa, to explore the integration of needle-free delivery of inactivated polio vaccine into Egypt's routine immunization program. The signing event took place in Cairo at the African Health ExCon healthcare conference on June 26. The agreement includes provisions for distribution, technology transfer, manufacturing, and new pharmaceutical product development, as well as collaborating to increase needle-free access within Egypt and regionally. The UPA seeks to incorporate new technologies into its portfolio, aiming to expand the benefits of vaccination against certain infectious agents, improve pandemic preparedness, reduce total immunization costs, and improve foreign exchange rates. Tropis® Needle-free adoption offers several strategic advantages for Egypt including substantial immunization cost savings of 38% or more over six years1, reduced vaccine hesitancy2,3, increased coverage2, and the potential for medical technology localization. EVA Pharma is a leading pharmaceuticals and medical appliances manufacturing company that has vast experience in manufacturing, registering, marketing, and promoting pharmaceutical products. 'This collaboration can transform immunization by making it safer, more accessible, and less painful for children and caregivers,' said Nicolas Boege, Director of Global Commercial & Corporate Development at EVA Pharma. 'By introducing this technology, alongside localized technology transfer and manufacturing, EVA Pharma is committed to scaling innovation that strengthens public health systems. We are proud to collaborate with UPA and PharmaJet to localize needle-free delivery and accelerate its integration into Egypt's immunization programs and beyond.' The adoption and introduction of Tropis with concurrent manufacturing technology transfer has the potential to advance UPA's goal of becoming the leader of immunization excellence and a hub of needle-free product manufacturing for the Middle East and Northern Africa. The current initiative will enhance pandemic preparedness, reduce immunization costs, and support Egypt's Universal Health Insurance project. It also emphasizes the critical importance of the first 1,000 days in a child's life, building on the earlier efforts of the '1000 Golden Days' presidential initiative. 'This collaboration with UPA and EVA Pharma has the potential to enable the children of Egypt to gain from the benefits of intradermal (ID) delivery with reduced pain and administration time. The UPA would benefit through cost savings and novel pharma product development and manufacturing opportunities with needle-free delivery, and we would be thrilled to expand PharmaJet's commercial applications into Egypt and regionally. It's a win-win all around,' said Paul LaBarre, Vice President of Business Development for PharmaJet. 'We look forward to contributing to early childhood development in this region by increasing the positive impact of needle-free immunization.' Tropis ID has been widely used for inactivated polio vaccine delivery in campaigns and supplemental immunization activities. It has been rigorously evaluated in a routine immunization setting in two recently published studies that showed greater than 94% acceptability amongst healthcare workers and caregivers3, reduced administration time3, and greater than 50% reduction in immunization adverse events compared with intradermal delivery with a needle.
