President Abdel Fattah El Sisi pays special attention to building the Egyptian personality, in his firm belief that human capital is a true wealth that deserves investing in it.
Within this context, the president reviewed progress on the implementation of the National Human Development Project during a meeting on Sunday with Prime Minister, Moustafa Madbouly, and Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, Dr Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar.
Adopting the slogan ‘New Beginning for Human Building’, the project aims to enhance investment in human capital via a comprehensive programme for human development and the reinforcement of the Egyptian identity.
It includes initiatives in health, education, culture, sports, and job-creation, integrating efforts from State agencies, the civil society and the private sector.
Such a broad partnership in implementing this project is meant to enable all social segments to benefit from the State’s resources in a fair and efficient way to improve the quality of life for citizens in all governorates.
President Sisi stressed the importance of formulating executive plans for the project’s work axes, noting that human capital is Egypt’s true wealth that must be developed effectively.
He also commanded the authorities concerned to enhance coordination between all parties responsible for implementing the project to ensure the achievement of its goals and reaching tangible results as soon as possible.
The president is also keen on following up on developments in the health sector to make sure that citizens have access to an effective healthcare system.
During last Sunday’s meeting, the president also appraised progress on the modernisation of Nasser Institute – to be named Nile Medical City – and the Dar El Salam Oncology Centre which will become a regional centre of excellence.
He also reviewed steps taken for the establishment of central laboratories in Badr City.
These efforts aim to ensure the constant supply of high-quality medicines at fair prices to meet the needs of Egyptian citizens.
The president was briefed, meanwhile, about the government’s efforts to localise the pharmaceutical industry and encourage investments in this vital sector, particularly in the light of current international crises that threaten supply chains.
With regard to the introduction of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS), the president issued directives for accelerating the construction of 30 hospitals and 500 healthcare units within the second phase of the UHIS, which includes Damietta, Menya, Kafr El Sheikh, North Sinai and Marsa Matrouh.
The president also reviewed the latest outcomes of presidential initiatives for treating all people on the nation’s hospitals’ waiting and for psychological healthcare.
In that respect, the president commanded the establishment of Sakina Psychiatric Hospital and Addiction Treatment in New Alamein City.
President Sisi also urged accelerating the development of Khanka Mental Health Hospital in Qalubyia governorate, and constructing medical centres for the accommodation of senior and disabled citizens.
The president further instructed the government to raise the number of people benefiting from the social welfare programme, Takaful and Karama to 8.5 million.
He also instructed State authorities to offer irregular and construction workers access to the health insurance system, noting that the State had earmarked 10 billion Egyptian pounds for this purpose.
It is clear from all the above that the president works on implementing comprehensive development strategies based on investing in human capital, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for all segments of society and achieving sustainable development.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief
of The Egyptian Gazette and
Egyptian Mail newspapers