MoH, INP Discusses Expanding Cooperation

Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar held talks on Tuesday with Khaled Zakaria, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy Center at the Institute of National Planning (INP), to explore ways to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, the ministry said.

Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the meeting reviewed existing areas of collaboration and examined future opportunities for joint work, particularly in linking health policies with broader economic planning.

Discussions focused on human development indicators and Egypt’s progress in improving them, with both sides underscoring the central role of healthcare as a cross-cutting pillar that affects all sectors. Officials highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all age groups, including through integrated frameworks such as the “One Health” strategy.

The talks also covered ongoing efforts to modernize Egypt’s healthcare system, including the expansion of the universal health insurance scheme, initiatives to combat non-communicable diseases, and a shift toward prevention and early detection.

The ministry pointed to key achievements in recent years, notably the elimination of hepatitis C, advances in localizing the pharmaceutical industry, improved population indicators, and expanded training programs for medical personnel. Progress in digital transformation and the rollout of a national digital health strategy were also highlighted.

Further discussions addressed the development of primary healthcare units, institutional reforms including the establishment of regulatory health bodies, and advances in major projects such as the Egyptian Genome Project. Both sides stressed the importance of improving access to healthcare services and sustaining investment in sectors that support public health.