Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar participated in the 76th World Health Assembly meetings, held from May 21-30, at the headquarters of WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.
The minister met with the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom, at the headquarters of WHO in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 76th World Health Assembly meetings.
Abdel Ghaffar conveyed a message of thanks and gratitude from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the WHO chief for his continued support to the African continent and especially Egypt, in light of the profound friendly relations between President El-Sisi and Adhanom.
The health minister and WHO head discussed a set of cooperation files between Egypt and WHO, topped by updating a file submitted by Egypt to WHO for acquiring a certificate on Egypt’s success in eradicating hepatitis C virus (HCV) as well as Egypt’s constant serious efforts to maintain such historic achievement.
Furthermore, they discussed Egypt’s plans to fully upgrade health units by the end of 2024 to boost their potential to receive patients through renovating specialized clinics and updating the medications list.
Minister Abdel Ghaffar also briefed the WHO head of state’s efforts to handle the deteriorated health situation on borders with Sudan as tens of thousands of Sudanese are fleeing their country over the ongoing armed conflict in several areas.
He asserted Egypt’s keenness to provide all forms of support for the Sudanese and medical services to the displaced ones, pointing out the significance of upholding cooperation with the WHO in this key file.
Meanwhile, Adhanom expressed thanks and appreciation to President El-Sisi and the state’s efforts in the health sector, namely the “100 Million Healthy Lives” initiative and successful efforts to combat polio.
Adhanom welcomed an official invitation by the health minister to attend the International Conference on Population, Health, and Development, slated for September 5-8 in Egypt.
For his part, the WHO director hailed Egypt’s efforts to confront health challenges posed by the Sudanese crisis and offer support and care for the Sudanese citizens, besides stepping up the state of alert.
Abdel Ghaffar said about 8.39% of coronary deaths are linked to the consumption of unsaturated fat, which calls for efficient intervention from the government.
He also said Egypt has adopted a policy banning trans fats, a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, stressing his ministry’s commitment to making cardiovascular health a top priority.
He noted that the Egyptian policy aims to make the country’s food supplies free of industrially produced trans fats by October, which will make Egypt the 49th country to join the World Health Organization’s REPLACE initiative to rid the world of this toxic additive known to increase the risk of heart attack and death.
The meeting came on the sidelines of the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the meeting tackled the fragile world health systems unveiled during the coronavirus pandemic.
The meeting underlined the importance of reconsidering the management of platforms for financing and preventive medical measures.
It highlighted the importance of ensuring growing investments to launch innovative financing initiatives in Africa.
The meeting also reviewed an initiative launched by the African Union to produce 60% of locally needed vaccines, as the continent produces only 1% of its needs of vaccines.
Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar opened on Sunday, May 21, the meetings of the executive office of the Arab Health Ministers Council.
Addressing the meetings, the minister hoped the 59th session of the council, to be held in tandem with the 76th general assembly of the World Health Organization in Geneva, will be crowned with success.
He underlined the importance of topics listed on the agenda of the executive office meetings.
He expressed thanks to the current members of the executive office for their tireless efforts over the past period, wishing more success to the new office members.
