Egypt’s National Institute for Planning (NIP) convened an expansive advisory meeting to discuss a new research study titled “Investing to End Preventable Maternal Mortality in Egypt.” The initiative is being carried out in strategic partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and reflects Egypt’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable population planning.
The session, held at the NIP headquarters in Cairo, brought together policymakers, academics, UN officials, and public health leaders to deliberate on the economic and societal impacts of maternal mortality, as well as the critical interventions necessary to prevent avoidable deaths.
Evidence-Based Policy for Transformational Change
In her opening remarks, Dr. Hala Abu Ali, Chief Advisor to the NIP President and the study’s principal investigator, emphasized that the research aims to quantify the costs and returns of scaling up high-impact health interventions, particularly those aligned with Egypt’s 2030 Population Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using advanced scenario modeling, the study will assess the financial feasibility and public health outcomes of enhanced family planning programs.
“Maternal mortality is more than a healthcare failure—it is a stark indicator of the economic, social, and cultural vulnerabilities facing women in our society,” said Dr. Abu Ali. “Family planning is a proven pathway to empower women, improve health outcomes, and ultimately reduce maternal deaths.”
The study seeks to evaluate not only the financial investment required but also the long-term societal benefits, such as improved educational and economic opportunities for women and reduced strain on public health infrastructure.
Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Impact
Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Ms. Germaine Haddad, Deputy Representative in Egypt, highlighted the continuity and strategic depth of the collaboration with the NIP. “This is the second joint effort between UNFPA and the National Institute for Planning in this critical field,” Haddad noted. “It builds on earlier research to produce a robust investment case for maternal health in Egypt.”
She reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to supporting national institutions in integrating population dynamics into development planning and in fostering inclusive, rights-based approaches to reproductive health.
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Maternal Health Investment
The meeting also featured a high-level panel of experts, including Dr. Maha El-Rabat, Former Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Hala Youssef, Former Minister of State for Population, and Dr. Maha El-Adawy, Director of Population Health Promotion at the World Health Organization (WHO)
Participants engaged in detailed discussions about the socio-economic repercussions of maternal mortality and the effectiveness of various intervention models. Key focus areas included the projected costs of expanding access to prenatal and postnatal care, scaling up family planning services, and strengthening community-level health education.
Key Takeaways and Strategic Recommendations
The advisory committee underscored the need for:
- Cross-sectoral investment in maternal health, linking healthcare with education and employment initiatives
- Prioritization of family planning as a core public health strategy
- Enhanced data systems to inform decision-making and resource allocation
- Sustained policy commitment to gender equality and reproductive rights
The meeting concluded with a collective agreement on the urgency of integrating maternal health investments into national planning frameworks. Participants highlighted the value of such research in mobilizing both public and private sector support for scalable, impactful health initiatives. Adopting investment-driven research, this initiative aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which places human capital development and healthcare modernization at the heart of national transformation.
