The ministry announced in February that the initiative had screened 1.8 million women since its launch, meaning that nearly 590 thousand women have been screened in 10 months.

Launched in March 2020, the initiative diagnoses diseases transmitted from mothers to fetuses at an early stage and provides free treatment and medical care, said Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, the health ministry official spokesman.

Abdel-Ghaffar mentioned that the initiative also targets early detection of infection with hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis for pregnant women.

Moreover, the initiative covers a follow-up on mothers and their newborns for 42 days during the postpartum period to detect any health complications and take appropriate measures, according to Fawzy Fathy, the initiative’s executive director.

Tests are undertaken under full confidentiality, in addition to accuracy through selecting reagents with international quality standards, Fathy noted.

These tests include advice on disease prevention and require women’s consent to the service, he added.

He also stressed that the initiative is sustainable, within the services of health units and maternity and child centers, for activating and improving the quality of routine services provided by maternity and child care.

The initiative also includes conducting a clinical examination to evaluate the general condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus and discover risk factors that may accompany pregnancy, tetanus vaccination, and height, weight, and blood pressure measurement; performing various tests to detect anemia; and determining whether or not the mother needs to get an Anti-D injection after birth.

Additionally, a urine analysis is done to determine the albumin rate and detect urinary system diseases.

Necessary micronutrients are also given to the mother during pregnancy and after childbirth.