Egypt highlights health reform gains, calls for stronger global cooperation against rising health threats

CAIRO • JULY 31, 2026

Egypt highlighted major progress in disease elimination, universal health coverage, digital transformation, pharmaceutical security, and preventive medicine while calling for broader international partnerships to confront emerging health threats.

Transforming public health

Egypt says its health sector has undergone an unprecedented transformation through disease elimination programs, preventive medicine, universal coverage, digital services, and stronger pharmaceutical regulation.

 

Egypt has called for deeper regional and international cooperation to confront growing global health challenges, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the health impacts of climate change.

Deputy Minister of Health and Population for Preventive Medicine Amr Kandil said Egypt believes that exchanging expertise and building broad partnerships have become essential to strengthening prevention, disease control, and public health preparedness.

In remarks on Thursday, Kandil said Egypt’s health sector had witnessed an unprecedented transformation in recent years, driven by one of the region’s largest health reform programs.

He pointed to the continued expansion of the Universal Health Insurance System under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, saying the program aims to ensure comprehensive health coverage for all citizens in line with the highest global quality standards.

Kandil said Egypt was moving beyond the traditional concept of healthcare as a service, toward a broader model that views citizens’ health as a long-term national investment.

Major public health milestones

The deputy minister highlighted what he described as historic achievements in Egypt’s public health and preventive medicine system.

He said Egypt had obtained international certification confirming that the country is free from several diseases, including polio, malaria, trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, and visceral leishmaniasis.

He also said Egypt had tightened control over hepatitis B among children through the efficiency of its vaccination programs.

Kandil added that Egypt had reached the “gold tier” on the global path to eliminating hepatitis C, becoming the first country in the world to achieve that status.

He noted that Egypt is also approaching an official declaration that the country is free from schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, marking another major milestone in the country’s long fight against endemic diseases.

Egypt’s public health transformation

The infographic highlights key milestones in Egypt’s health reform program, including disease elimination, expanded healthcare access, digital transformation, stronger surveillance systems, and pharmaceutical security.

Stronger surveillance and early warning systems

Kandil said the Ministry of Health and Population had placed major emphasis on developing epidemiological surveillance and early warning systems to ensure rapid detection of disease outbreaks and an effective response.

He added that Egypt had developed an integrated national strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance, a growing global threat that can weaken the effectiveness of essential medicines and complicate the treatment of infections.

As part of these efforts, five Egyptian hospitals received international accreditation from the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Kandil said.

He also pointed to the strengthening of Egypt’s central laboratories, the activation of the unified strategic framework for “One Health,” and the expansion of health adaptation efforts linked to climate change.

Tuberculosis declines by more than 60%

Kandil said Egypt had recorded a significant decline in tuberculosis infection rates, which fell by more than 60 percent over the past two decades.

He linked these gains to wider reforms across prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment systems, as well as the expansion of the national digital health strategy.

The strategy focuses on automating health services, expanding electronic medical records, using telemedicine applications, and benefiting from artificial intelligence technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment efficiency.

Egypt strengthens pharmaceutical security

On pharmaceutical security, Kandil said the Egyptian Drug Authority had achieved a strategic milestone by obtaining Maturity Level 3 according to the World Health Organization’s assessment.

He said the achievement strengthens the authority’s position as a reference regulatory body and supports Egypt’s wider efforts to build a stronger pharmaceutical system.

Kandil also highlighted the establishment of the Egyptian Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance, which aims to localize the production of biological products and vaccines, secure national needs, and support exports to regional markets.

Presidential health initiatives

The deputy minister praised Egypt’s presidential health initiatives, particularly the “100 Million Health” initiative, which he said had provided services to more than 60 million citizens.

He also pointed to the “Decent Life” initiative, saying it had helped upgrade the infrastructure of health facilities across the country.

Kandil said Egypt had also launched the National Food and Nutrition Strategy as part of wider efforts to improve public health and strengthen preventive care.

He welcomed the establishment of the expert group on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, stressing Egypt’s readiness to share its field experience and successful healthcare models with other member states.

Kandil said Egypt remains committed to supporting international cooperation, improving health systems, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.