In a unanimous vote that underscores Egypt’s growing influence in Arab health policy, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population and Deputy Prime Minister, has been re-elected President of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Arab Health Ministers for a fourth consecutive term. The election took place during the 62nd session of the council, held in Geneva, Switzerland, in parallel with the 78th World Health Assembly.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar’s re-election is a testament to Egypt’s leadership in regional public health and its success in launching transformative health initiatives under the guidance of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. These initiatives include nationwide disease prevention campaigns, digital health integration, and expanded access to healthcare services, which have garnered regional and international recognition.
A Respected Regional Health Diplomat
In his opening address as President of the Executive Bureau, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar expressed gratitude to his fellow ministers and the Arab League Secretariat for their continued trust. He acknowledged Iraqi Health Minister Dr. Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi, who currently chairs the full council, and Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States, for their stewardship and commitment to Arab health solidarity.
The minister’s remarks emphasized both the continuity of health cooperation in the Arab world and the urgency of addressing pressing humanitarian crises and public health emergencies across the region.
Key Agenda
A major focus of the meeting was the deteriorating humanitarian and health situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, where continued violence has devastated medical infrastructure and access to care.
“We are witnessing the collapse of vital health services in Gaza. Targeting hospitals and clinics is not just a war crime—it is an assault on the fundamental right to health,” Abdel Ghaffar stated.
He also called for expanded humanitarian assistance to Sudan, the Comoros Islands—recently impacted by a severe cyclone—and Somalia, where fragile health systems face escalating needs.
Driving Regional Health Cooperation
Beyond crisis response, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar laid out a vision for long-term collaboration on multiple fronts:
- Establishment of the Arab Drug Agency: A pan-Arab pharmaceutical coordination body aimed at improving regulatory efficiency, research collaboration, and medicine security.
- Revitalization of Arab Blood Services and Emergency Preparedness Committees, particularly in response to rising natural disasters and conflict-related health emergencies.
- Promotion of medical tourism and integrative wellness strategies, with a call for a unified Arab strategy to boost therapeutic tourism across member states.
- Recognition through the “Arab Doctor Award”, to honor outstanding contributions to public health and clinical innovation in the Arab world.
Economic Reforms in Healthcare
A highlight of the Egyptian delegation’s contribution was the presentation of a draft Arab Health Economics Strategy, developed by Egypt’s Ministry of Health. This reference framework aims to guide Arab countries in optimizing health resource allocation, setting strategic priorities, and strengthening fiscal discipline within health systems.
Training, Mobility, and Knowledge Sharing
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar also endorsed a proposal from Jordan to launch a “Visiting Physician” program, facilitating the cross-border exchange of medical professionals, particularly in emergency care and critical care specialties. The program would operate under the auspices of the Arab League, helping meet acute health workforce shortages during crises.
“The idea of rotating specialized physicians across the region is both practical and urgently needed,” he noted, especially in areas recovering from war, displacement, or climate-related disasters.
A Call for Unity and Continued Collaboration
The session concluded with a vote of thanks to Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Ambassador Abu Ghazaleh for their continued support of health integration efforts across the Arab world.
As Dr. Abdel Ghaffar embarks on a fourth term, observers note that his reappointment signals a strong consensus among Arab health leaders for Egypt’s technical leadership, policy direction, and commitment to regional solidarity—particularly at a time when health systems across the region face unprecedented pressure from political instability, climate change, and global economic shocks.
