Egypt Advances in Early Detection Programs: Health Ministry

Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt has become one of the leading countries globally in adopting early detection and preventive healthcare systems, marking a significant shift in the nation’s medical approach.

Speaking on recent developments, Abdel Ghaffar noted that the healthcare system has moved from focusing primarily on treatment to a comprehensive model centered on prevention, early diagnosis, and screening, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization.

He highlighted that newborn hearing screening now covers around 85% of infants, enabling early detection of hearing impairment, which affects between one and three per 1,000 newborns. Children requiring treatment receive immediate care, including medication, hearing aids, or cochlear implants provided free of charge by the state, with around 2,000 procedures conducted annually.

The spokesperson also pointed to nationwide breast cancer screening initiatives targeting approximately 23 million women, describing them as among the largest early detection campaigns globally. Early diagnosis, he said, can increase recovery rates to as high as 90%.

Moreover, premarital screening programs have contributed to reducing genetic diseases and lowering disability rates by up to 70%, helping improve long-term public health outcomes. These services are currently available across 370 centers nationwide.

Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that these initiatives are already in place, with diagnosed cases referred directly to specialized hospitals and treatment centers at no cost to citizens.