The MoU, signed under the patronage of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and in the presence of Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, deputy prime minister and minister of health and population, is part of ongoing efforts to enhance public health and aligns with Bayer's vision of "Health for All, Hunger for None."
 
The announcement of this partnership came during a press conference held in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), attended by several prominent figures. The conference highlighted the importance of raising awareness about early screening and the joint role of public and private sectors in improving the health of the Egyptian community.
 
"The memorandum aims to enhance collaboration between the two parties to support early detection of prostate cancer, provide necessary medications for patients according to agreed treatment protocols, and train medical teams to improve the quality of services provided," Hugo Hagen, Bayer's senior representative in the Middle East and country division head of Bayer Pharmaceuticals Middle East & North Africa, said.

He noted that the MoU also aims to support awareness activities for early cancer detection. "It's crucial to raise community awareness regarding early screening for prostate cancer and its impact on improving treatment opportunities. The partnership between the private and public sectors is of great significance, and I appreciate Egypt's efforts in enhancing early diagnosis and combating cancer diseases," Hagen said.
 
"This prostate cancer early detection initiative in Egypt exemplifies our ongoing collaboration with the health ministry. It builds upon years of strategic partnerships to establish healthcare as a cornerstone for societal sustainability and economic growth," Dr Samer Lezzaiq, vice president & head of Bayer’s Global Health Unit (GHU), added.  

Lezzaiq also noted that the project underscores the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases and supporting low- and middle-income countries in their healthcare efforts.

"Egypt stands as a pioneering model in viewing health as an investment and a key driver of national prosperity. We're proud to see Egypt now sharing its successful experiences, particularly those stemming from presidential initiatives, with other countries. This tangible progress highlights the crucial nature of the ministry's initiative in advancing public health," Lezzaiq said.

Prostate cancer ranks fourth among the most common types of cancer among men in Egypt. Patients in Egypt face significant challenges, including a lack of awareness about the disease's symptoms and the importance of early detection and the associated social stigma, leading to delayed diagnosis and worsening conditions.

 
Collaboration framework
 

Bayer will collaborate with the health ministry to implement a series of initiatives to build national capacities and train healthcare professionals to provide necessary care according to international standards.

This includes establishing specialized platforms to disseminate data and enhance diagnostic capabilities by providing necessary support for required tests and laboratory analyses to detect cases that require treatment.
 
This initiative falls within the framework of the national strategy to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, during which Egypt is witnessing significant transformations in its healthcare system.

The health ministry aims to enhance the level of care provided through the early detection and treatment of cancer initiative, which has been launched in 18 governorates so far, targeting four types of cancers: cervical, lung, colon, and prostate cancer.
 
Bayer is actively supporting and aligning with the significant transformation occurring in Egypt's healthcare system in general, especially the presidential initiative "100 Million Health," through which 14 presidential initiatives have been launched.
 
Further, Bayer in Egypt collaborates with the health ministry on several presidential initiatives, the most important of which are the following:
 
1. Early Detection of Liver Cancer: Oral treatment has been provided to eligible Egyptian patients, in addition to building sustainable capacities to enhance the efficiency of healthcare providers in collaboration with major global centres. Bayer has an ambitious plan to expand and reach more African countries to assist more liver cancer patients through centres of excellence in Egypt, which makes the country the gateway to the African continent.

2. Egyptian Family Development Initiative: This initiative aims to empower Egyptian women, providing the best long-term contraceptive methods, like hormonal IUD, to Egyptian women and building the capacities of healthcare providers. Additionally, it enhances the establishment of two centres of excellence by supplying them with VitraMed simulation devices to ensure the sustainable improvement of Egyptian doctors' capabilities.