The initiative, which focuses on women's reproductive health and family planning, aims to produce a healthy generation of children free from the harms caused by disabilities.

In the initiative’s first phase, which is ongoing, newborns are screened for 19 genetic diseases in the health ministry’s hospitals. In the second phase, screening will be expanded to all newborns nationwide, the health ministry’s Spokesperson Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar said.

The screening is carried out by blood sample analysis in cooperation with the Egyptian Centre for Diseases and Control (ECDC), followed by a second test to confirm the diagnosis if the first comes back positive, according to Head of the healthcare and nursing sector Wael Abdel-Razek.

Since the launch of the initiative, 4,460 newborns have been sent for second tests for confirmation, Abdel-Razek pointed out.

Detected cases are then referred for necessary treatment according to protocols established set by the initiative.

Dina Abdel-Salam, the initiative coordinator for early detection of genetic diseases, stated that 25 centres have been allocated to treat infants diagnosed with genetic diseases, and the number is being increased to provide coverage across all governorates.

“These centers not only provide free-of-charge treatment and follow up services to newborns with genetic diseases, but also provide support and counseling for parents to reduce the likelihood of having children with genetic disease,” the statement quoted Abdel-Salam as saying.