In a major step towards achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, launched Egypt’s urgent Population and Development Plan, National Population Observatory, and National Anti-Stunting & Malnutrition Program on Monday, under the umbrella of the “Bidaya” (New Beginning) initiative for human development. This initiative aims to build a better future for Egypt through improved human development strategies, focusing on population control, child nutrition, and overall societal well-being.
The announcement was made in the presence of a distinguished group of government officials, including Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Minister of Religious Endowments; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Henou, Minister of Culture; Mohamed Gabran, Minister of Labor; and leaders from various Egyptian governorates, alongside representatives from international organizations such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Highlights Egypt’s Progress in Population Control
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar praised the significant progress Egypt has made in reducing the total fertility rate (TFR), which has decreased from 2.85 in 2021 to 2.41 in 2024, surpassing expectations. He emphasized that the urgent Population and Development Plan aims to fast-track the reduction of TFR to 2.1 by 2027, five years ahead of the original target of 2030.
“This plan builds on the considerable achievements made in controlling population growth and aims to integrate the necessary population dynamics with human development. By using data-driven methods, we can better align resources and policies to meet the needs of a growing population,” Dr. Abdel Ghaffar noted, thanking partners and stakeholders for their support.
A Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Population Indicators
The urgent Population and Development Plan aims to address 29 key population indicators covering health services, education, protection, births, deaths, and population density. Dr. Abla El-Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, presented the plan’s comprehensive goals and outlined how it will be implemented over the next 1,000 days. The initiative is divided into a pilot phase running from October to December 2024, followed by a three-year implementation phase from 2025 to 2027.
The plan will track progress every 100 days, with the goal of transforming underperforming areas—marked in red on the population map—into areas with improved indicators, categorized as yellow and green. This phased approach ensures that health and development strategies are adjusted in real-time to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Combatting Stunting and Malnutrition in Children Under 5
A key focus of the “Bidaya” initiative is addressing the issue of stunting and malnutrition in children under the age of five. The National Anti-Stunting and Malnutrition Program aims to reduce the stunting rate by 25% by the end of the three-year plan. The program will enhance institutional capacities for providing quality nutrition, positive parenting, and healthcare services for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five.
This effort is also complemented by a national initiative aimed at improving awareness among parents and caregivers about optimal infant and child nutrition practices. These include promoting exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding, and ensuring continuous breastfeeding for at least the first two years of life.
International Support for Egypt’s Population and Health Plans
Representatives from international organizations expressed their strong support for Egypt’s bold steps toward improving health and population indicators. Nathalie Winder Rossi, UNICEF’s representative in Egypt, commended the Ministry of Health’s leadership in launching the urgent Population and Development Plan, noting that Egypt’s progress in family planning and fertility rate reduction aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development.
“We are witnessing tangible progress in Egypt’s healthcare system, particularly in the services provided to women and children. UNICEF is committed to continuing its partnership with the Egyptian government to ensure that every child has access to essential services,” said Rossi.
Dr. Fadia Sada, Regional Director of Human Development at the World Bank, also praised Egypt’s strong strategies focusing on improving demographic indicators and population characteristics. She highlighted the alignment of these strategies with the World Bank’s objectives for Egypt’s economic and social development.
Jean-Pierre Dumarchey, WFP’s representative in Egypt, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships between Egypt and international organizations, particularly in combating malnutrition and improving food security. “Our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population and other key stakeholders is critical in providing integrated interventions that target the first 1,000 days of life, which are fundamental to shaping a healthy future generation,” said Dumarchey.
Recognizing Efforts in Implementing Population and Development Initiatives
At the conclusion of the launch event, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar recognized several governors, health directors, and officials from the National Population Council for their exemplary efforts in executing the first phase of the urgent Population and Development Plan. This recognition underscores the importance of collaboration between local and national authorities to achieve the overarching goals of the “Bidaya” initiative.
Strengthening Human Development Cooperation with World Bank
On the other hand, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar welcomed Dr. Fadia Sada, the Regional Director for Human Development in the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, and her accompanying delegation at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting focused on exploring new avenues for collaboration in human development, with an emphasis on strengthening the partnership between Egypt and the World Bank in advancing sustainable development goals.
During the session, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar praised Egypt’s remarkable progress in human capital development, including significant reductions in mortality rates, a notable decrease in population growth, the launch of the comprehensive health insurance system, and the implementation of the “Takaful and Karama” social protection program. The discussion also covered the country’s efforts to improve education, promote gender equality, and enhance access to essential services for all citizens
