In a historic milestone for public health in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Egypt has been formally recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) to achieve the regional goal for the control of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The announcement was made during an official ceremony in Cairo, where Egyptian Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, received the certificate of achievement from WHO officials.
Described as a transformative accomplishment in Egypt’s healthcare journey, the achievement underscores the country’s long-standing efforts in preventive medicine, vaccination coverage, and systemic health infrastructure reform.
A Benchmark for Regional and Global Health Systems
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar hailed the recognition as a “turning point” in Egypt’s health agenda, emphasizing that it is a direct outcome of sustained political commitment, strategic planning, and institutional coordination under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting public health and realizing universal health coverage,” said Abdel Ghaffar. “It also validates the effectiveness of our immunization programs and the robustness of our disease surveillance systems.”
According to the minister, Egypt reduced the prevalence of hepatitis B among children under five years of age to below 1%, one of the key benchmarks set by the WHO Regional Verification Committee. Moreover, over 90% coverage was achieved for the third dose of the HBV vaccine for more than ten consecutive years, alongside consistent coverage of over 90% for birth-dose administration over the past five years.
A Multi-Sectoral Strategy Anchored in Prevention
The progress stems from a multi-faceted national strategy launched in 2008, combining expanded immunization programs, targeted prevention efforts, and digital transformation. Abdel Ghaffar noted that HBV prevalence among individuals under 60 dropped by 15% since 2015, while the infection rate among children under ten was halved.
Egypt’s immunization program, a cornerstone of its preventive health efforts, has consistently maintained coverage rates above 95%, bolstered by a well-coordinated infrastructure of central and field-level teams. The Ministry of Health modernized the vaccination infrastructure through digitalization, real-time data monitoring, cold chain enhancement, and workforce training.
Additionally, the country provides free HBV vaccinations to all newborns — both Egyptians and non-Egyptians — with the birth dose administered within hours of delivery. Infants born to HBV-positive mothers also receive hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) to prevent vertical transmission.
Beyond infants, the strategy extended vaccination and screening to high-risk adult groups, including healthcare workers, dialysis patients, and individuals living with HIV — showcasing a comprehensive, equity-driven approach to disease prevention.
Institutional Cohesion and National Vaccine Sovereignty
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that the achievement would not have been possible without coordinated action across government agencies and collaboration with international partners. Of note is Egypt’s establishment of the Egyptian Vaccines Manufacturers Alliance (EVMA) — a public-private initiative to localize vaccine production and bolster national supply security.
Dr. Hisham Sayed Tohamy Sait, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, underscored the role of the state’s centralized procurement framework in ensuring uninterrupted vaccine supply in accordance with international standards. “This is not merely a health achievement, but an ethical and national imperative fulfilled through institutional alignment,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority, highlighted how Egypt’s compliance with global public health strategies, particularly vaccine localization, strengthens the country’s health sovereignty and aligns with Egypt Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A WHO-Endorsed Regional Model
In her remarks, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, congratulated Egypt for meeting all regional verification criteria and lauded its skilled health workforce. “Egypt is now a role model in viral hepatitis control,” she said. “It demonstrates how strategic leadership and robust primary healthcare systems can yield real impact.”
WHO Country Representative to Egypt, Dr. Naeema Al-Gasseer, echoed the sentiment, adding that Egypt’s investment in public health and human capital is now recognized globally, setting a precedent for other countries in the region.
Looking Ahead
This achievement follows a series of other notable successes for Egypt’s public health sector, including the eradication of polio, neonatal tetanus, and congenital rubella syndrome, as well as progress toward the elimination of measles and diphtheria.
In closing, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar thanked frontline healthcare workers across Egypt’s governorates for their critical role in implementation, stating: “This certification is not only a testament to Egypt’s capacity for innovation and resilience but a moment of pride for every Egyptian citizen.”
