According to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar — spokesperson for the health ministry — the initiative aims to diagnose diseases transmitted from mothers to foetuses early and to provide free treatment and medical care as part of the larger ‘100 Million Healthy Lives Presidential Initiative.’

The initiative aims to achieve early diagnosis of Hepatitis B Virus, HIV, and syphilis infections among pregnant women in addition to reducing the rate of maternal mortality from these diseases, Abdel-Ghaffar added.

Furthermore, it includes a follow up on mothers and their newly born babies for 42 days after delivery to detect any health complications as they arise, in addition to dispensing the necessary micronutrients during postpartum.

According to the health ministry, the initiative is implemented by more than 4,000 medical teams in medical units and centres nationwide from 8am till 2pm throughout weekdays.

Cases that require further testing are referred to one of the many medical institutions affiliated with the ministry that serve patients suffering from Hepatitis B, Syphilis, or hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar level) across the country.