Egypt’s Minister of Health Hala Zayed has said that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has helped health systems build resilience to face challenges that may arise in the future.

Zayed’s remarks came, on Monday evening, during her participation in a joint video conference meeting featuring the Ministers of Health, and Finance, from North African countries. 

The event was held under the theme “Preserving health gains in Africa in the face of the novel coronavirus”. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), and representatives from the World Bank and the African Union (AU) also presented at the online meeting. 

Khaled Mogahed, Spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Health, said that Zayed praised the AU Commission’s efforts in providing continuous support to the health systems of member states, especially in confronting the COVID-19 crisis.

The AU is also playing an important role in exchanging expertise to effectively strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.

During her speech before the meeting, Zayed affirmed Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi’s keenness to provide health support to Africa. This includes sending medical convoys that include doctors in various specialties to support the continent’s health systems.

She further pointed to the implementation of President Al-Sisi’s initiative to examine and treat one million Africans suffering from Hepatitis B and C.

The minister said that Egypt has succeeded in facing the COVID-19 pandemic whilst also providing basic healthcare to citizens in accordance with Egypt’s Vision 2030. This has seen particular input from the country’s public health initiatives, and its universal health insurance system.