Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, welcomed a high-level delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) led by Cécile Coubry, AFD’s Regional Director for North Africa, to discuss ongoing collaboration and future opportunities in Egypt’s healthcare sector.
The meeting, held in Cairo, was attended by senior officials from both sides and focused on advancing bilateral healthcare cooperation, evaluating the progress of joint health projects, and exploring new initiatives in partnership with the European Union.
Strategic Partnership for Healthcare Development
According to Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the minister opened the meeting by welcoming the French delegation and emphasizing the strong diplomatic and developmental ties between Egypt and France.
The discussion covered the implementation status of current joint projects with AFD in the healthcare sector and proposed future collaborations aimed at improving service quality and expanding access to care.
Upcoming EU-AFD Health Infrastructure Project
One of the key topics discussed was a prospective collaborative project involving AFD and the European Union, focusing on the renovation and development of healthcare facilities across Egypt. The initiative aligns with Egypt’s national strategy to elevate the quality of care, especially in underserved areas, and promote health equity and resilience.
Global Health Conference Invitation
During the meeting, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar extended a formal invitation to the AFD delegation to participate in the Third Global Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development, scheduled to take place in Cairo from November 10–13, 2025. The event will serve as a platform for international dialogue and cooperation in addressing critical health challenges and promoting innovation in public health policy.
AFD Reaffirms Commitment to Egypt’s Health Sector
Cécile Coubry commended Egypt’s significant achievements in modernizing its healthcare infrastructure, reaffirming AFD’s commitment to long-term cooperation and providing both technical and financial support for current and future initiatives.
“We are impressed by the progress Egypt has made in health system reform and are fully committed to supporting its vision through sustainable and inclusive projects,” she said.
The session brought together Dr. Abla El-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Zeinab El-Sadr, Assistant Deputy Minister, Dr. Rasha Khodir, Head of Family Development Sector, Dr. Suzanne Zanaty, Director of International Relations and Agreements, and Dr. Dalia Rashid, Director of Grants and Loans Administration
