Counselor Amal Ammar, Chairperson of the National Council for Women, participated in Egypt’s International Nurses Day celebration in the presence of Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud, Head of the Nursing Syndicate, Major General Hisham El Sheshtawy, Chairman of the Health Committee at the Senate, Dr. Hossam Mowafy, Dr. Naeema Al Gasseer, Representative of the World Health Organization in Egypt, in addition to several healthcare leaders, executive officials, and public figures.
Amal Ammar expressed her appreciation for participating in what she described as a distinguished humanitarian occasion honoring one of the noblest professions — nursing — a profession founded on compassion, dedication, and responsibility. She stated: “Today we celebrate International Nurses Day in commemoration of Florence Nightingale, who established the foundations of modern nursing and reinforced the values of science, discipline, and humanitarian care. This year’s theme, ‘Empowering Nursing Protects Life,’ highlights the importance of supporting healthcare personnel, providing a safe and motivating work environment, and investing in human capital as the cornerstone of healthcare system development.”
Ammar added that nursing is not merely a profession, but a humanitarian mission centered on relieving pain, offering reassurance, and giving hope to patients and their families. She noted that major crises and experiences have repeatedly proven that the success of any healthcare system depends on integration among all its components, including doctors, nursing staff, and all members of the medical team working toward one goal: protecting human health and preserving human dignity.
She also praised the efforts of Egypt’s healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying they stood on the frontlines with courage and dedication, presenting an honorable example of national and humanitarian duty. She emphasized that Egyptian women were, as always, at the forefront of this national effort, carrying out their mission with strength, patience, and sincerity.
The NCW Chairperson commended Egyptian nurses for serving not only as healthcare professionals, but also as a true source of support for patients, families, and society. She noted that women working in the nursing sector have demonstrated the ability to balance professional and family responsibilities while continuing to present a distinguished model of dedication, discipline, and responsibility. She added that Egyptian male and female nurses together represent an honorable model of professional and humanitarian integration through their united efforts to provide healthcare with efficiency, compassion, and commitment.
She also extended her appreciation to Abdel Fattah El Sisi for what she described as unprecedented support for Egyptian women, reflected in presidential initiatives focused on women’s healthcare, particularly the “Women’s Health Support” initiative, which has provided early detection, awareness, and healthcare services to millions of women across Egypt, alongside continuous support for women working in the healthcare sector and recognition of their national and humanitarian role.
Amal Ammar affirmed the National Council for Women’s pride in the contributions made by Egyptian women working in the nursing sector and reiterated the council’s full support for all efforts aimed at providing a safe and motivating work environment worthy of the dedication and sacrifices made by Egypt’s nurses. She stressed that empowering women in the healthcare sector represents an essential part of the state’s efforts to achieve sustainable development and strengthen gender equality.
She concluded her speech with a message of gratitude to nurses across Egypt, saying: “Thank you for giving patients hope and reassurance during the most difficult moments.” At the conclusion of the event, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud honored Amal Ammar in recognition of her efforts in supporting women’s empowerment in Egypt. The celebration also included a documentary film about the history of nursing over the past 1,400 years, the development of the Nursing Syndicate since 1976, and the honoring of several distinguished healthcare leaders and nursing professionals from across the country in recognition of their continued contributions to the healthcare sector.
