Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening health systems and pharmaceutical security across Africa, offering to transfer the country’s medical expertise and successful healthcare initiatives to fellow African nations.
During a meeting on Monday with Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Abdelatty highlighted health as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. The meeting was attended by Hisham Stait, head of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and the Management of Medical Technology (UPA).
Abdelatty praised the existing cooperation between Egypt and the Africa CDC aimed at advancing the continental health and pharmaceutical agenda. He pointed to capacity-building programmes organised by Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population in coordination with the centre as vital for enhancing the health capabilities of African states.
The minister noted the collaboration between the UPA and the Africa CDC in organising the Africa Health ExCon, describing it as a comprehensive continental platform for health and pharmaceutical stakeholders. This, he said, aligns with Egyptian efforts to promote integration and exchange expertise with African countries in the health sector.
Abdelatty emphasised the importance of deepening the partnership with the Africa CDC, particularly in developing rapid response mechanisms for emergency health challenges. This includes providing medical aid and essential supplies, specifically vaccines and emergency medical equipment, to ensure African states can face health crises with efficiency and sustainability.
The foreign minister also commended Egyptian professionals working within the Africa CDC and expressed readiness to provide more medical and technical personnel to support the centre’s work. He highlighted Egypt’s presidential health initiatives, specifically the elimination of Hepatitis C and the “100 Million Health” initiative, stating Egypt is prepared to transfer these experiences to increase African citizens’ access to Egyptian medicine and health services.
Kaseya expressed appreciation for Egypt’s advanced health and pharmaceutical capabilities and praised its leadership role in supporting public health in Africa. He said he looked forward to strengthening cooperation and benefiting from Egypt’s accumulated experience to bolster health security across the continent.
