In two separate statements, the ministry confirmed that 3.6 million young men and women have benefited from medical screening since it started in February 2023 as part of the president’s initiative for Pre-Marriage Health Screening.
The statements added that certified and secured health certificates with a QR code were issued for those about to get married, with a validity of six months.
"The tests should be done at least 14 days before the wedding to allow time for receiving the results and the health certificate," according to Dr. Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, the ministry's official spokesperson.
In another statement, the ministry said 3.251 million women have been screened since March 2020 as part of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s initiative, Caring for the Health of Mothers and Newborns.
Abdel-Ghaffar noted that the initiative aims to detect diseases transmitted from mother to fetus early and provide free treatment and healthcare.
He said it also focuses on the early detection of hepatitis B, HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), and syphilis in pregnant women.
The statement explained that the medical teams follow up on the health of the mother and newborn for 42 days after childbirth to identify any risk factors and take appropriate actions.
The initiative also provides the necessary micronutrients during the postpartum period.
Furthermore, the statement emphasized that all tests are confidential and accurate and use diagnostic reagents that meet international quality standards.
This also included providing counseling for disease prevention, with the woman’s informed consent and willingness to participate as a requirement.
The initiative is ongoing and integrated into the services of health units and maternal and child care centres as part of efforts to enhance the quality of routine maternal and child healthcare services.
Additionally, the ministry affirmed its commitment to providing the public with information and responding to inquiries about public health initiatives through the hotline 15335, https://www.100millionseha.eg/, or the ministry’s official Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages.
The presidential initiatives under the banner 100 Million Health are among the most significant healthcare interventions launched by the state in recent years.
The flagship initiative, 100 Million Health, began in October 2018. It aimed to eliminate Hepatitis C and screen for non-communicable diseases; numerous other public health initiatives followed it.
These efforts have aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles, avoiding risk factors that lead to non-communicable diseases, early detection, and ensuring follow-up care in case a disease is detected to prevent complications.
They also focus on educating the public and reducing the causes of infectious disease transmission.
The 100 Million Health initiative includes a wide range of services, such as efforts to reduce the spread of genetic diseases in newborns and mental health support services for specific groups in society, including those preparing for marriage and the elderly.
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