For improving maternal and child health outcomes in Upper Egypt, Deputy Minister of Health and Population Dr. Abla El-Alfi met with Dr. Hassan El-Numani, President of Sohag University, to advance a joint strategy aimed at reducing unnecessary cesarean deliveries, lowering neonatal mortality rates, and addressing Egypt’s pressing population growth challenges.
The meeting was held within the framework of the Presidential Initiative “The Golden 1,000 Days,” which focuses on improving family health and development indicators during the critical early period of motherhood and childhood.
Dr. El-Alfi commended Sohag University’s active participation in the initiative and emphasized the importance of a unified national approach. She announced the formation of an inter-ministerial and academic coordination committee, tasked with ensuring the availability of free family planning services, particularly long-acting contraceptive methods, across underserved regions.
She also revealed key advancements in healthcare workforce development, most notably the launch of Egypt’s first three-year Egyptian Midwifery Board Program, in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). This specialized program is being introduced at the undergraduate level for the first time in Egypt, with Dr. El-Alfi encouraging young women to pursue this career path due to the high demand and promising employment prospects.
Dr. El-Numani, in turn, underscored the vital role of awareness in transforming public health outcomes. He highlighted the university’s commitment to expanding access to postnatal family planning counseling, training youth as peer educators, and raising awareness about safe natural childbirth as a healthier alternative to elective C-sections.
The meeting also discussed a proposed cooperation protocol between the university and the Ministry of Health to promote safe childbirth practices, reduce complications related to cesarean sections, and enhance neonatal care standards. The protocol would also focus on upgrading neonatal intensive care units based on international best practices to lower infant mortality.
As part of its broader outreach, Sohag University is intensifying field efforts through medical and developmental caravans deployed under Egypt’s “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) initiative, particularly in high-need rural communities. These caravans include awareness campaigns on reproductive health, population education, and family development — all closely aligned with national priorities.
The meeting brought together a high-level delegation, including Dr. Amr Doweidar, Director of the Sohag Health Directorate; Dr. Magdy El-Kady, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Ahmed Kamal, Director of the University Hospital; and representatives from the Deputy Minister’s office and the National Population Council.
This collaboration marks a model for integrated action between academia, government, and healthcare institutions, offering a blueprint for tackling Egypt’s demographic challenges and advancing maternal and child well-being across governorates.
