Dr. Abed highlighted the country’s ability to manufacture and distribute medicines and vaccines, according to a press release issued by the WHO office in Cairo.
Dr. Abed also commended Egypt's successful efforts in eradicating measles and rubella.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing health as a fundamental human right, during the podcast interview with the Deputy Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Cairo Mohamed El-Koossy,
Moreover, he highlighted that this perspective is outlined in Egypt's constitution.
In 2023, the WHO awarded Egypt gold-tier status for being the world’s first country to be on the path to eliminating hepatitis C
Dr. Abed explained that the WHO has rigorous requirements for achieving this status, including testing 80 percent of the population and treating 70 percent of those infected.
Egypt exceeded these targets, testing over 86.7 percent of the population and treating more than 94 percent of those infected. Additionally, Egypt ensured the implementation of blood and injection safety standards.
Dr. Abed shed light on WHO's crucial role in supporting Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population in meeting these standards.
In 2007, Egypt ranked first in the world for hepatitis C prevalence, with about 10 percent of the population being infected. Now the prevalence rate stands at less than 0.5 percent.
The WHO’s representative in Egypt also discussed Egypt's efforts in pharmaceutical control and humanitarian aid, particularly in providing healthcare support to refugees from Gaza and Sudan.
Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of robust health systems in addressing humanitarian crises and emphasized ongoing collaborations with international partners.
"Without a strong health system in Egypt, it would have been challenging to provide health services to refugees from Sudan, Gaza, and other regions," he concluded.
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