Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, oversaw the signing of a strategic partnership and the launch of the “Care” programme. The initiative is designed to train university physicians in specialized hospitals on the early diagnosis and management of rare diseases in children.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Supreme Council of University Hospitals (SCUH) and AstraZeneca Egypt, a global leader in pharmaceuticals. The agreement was formalised by Dr. Omar Sherif Omar, Secretary of the SCUH, and Ahmed Siam, Head of the Medical Sector at AstraZeneca Egypt.
Minister Ashour hailed the partnership as a “pioneering model” of cooperation between the state and the private sector. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the National Strategy for Higher Education, which promotes integration between academic institutions and industry to serve the local community.
“Investing in the capacity-building of our university physicians is essential for ensuring equitable access to treatment and improving the overall quality of healthcare for Egyptian children,” Ashour stated.
The “Care” programme aims to bridge knowledge gaps in rare disease diagnostics, often a challenge due to the complexity of these conditions. Ahmed Qashta, Head of Corporate Relations at AstraZeneca Egypt, noted that the company’s strategy prioritizes innovation-based knowledge to support sustainable healthcare solutions.
Ahmed Anani, Advisor to the Minister for Health Policies, added that the program supports a sustainable medical education system by enhancing specialized clinical knowledge, implementing the latest scientific referral methodologies, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration among medical teams.
This partnership is expected to directly impact diagnostic pathways across university hospitals nationwide, ensuring that Egyptian medical professionals are equipped to meet the highest international standards.
