Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar held a meeting on Wednesday with Brazilian Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha to explore avenues of co-operation in a range of healthcare fields.
The meeting is held on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar stated that the meeting focused on enhancing collaboration in technology transfer and the joint local manufacturing of biosimilars, vaccines and essential medicines, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of pharmaceutical supply chains across African and Latin American markets.
Discussions also addressed co-operation in tackling antimicrobial resistance and identifying shared priorities in this critical area.
The two sides also examined the establishment of a joint research platform between Egyptian research institutions and Brazil’s Fiocruz Foundation, focusing on the “One Health” approach, emerging infectious diseases and clinical trials.
In addition, they discussed strengthening co-operation in digital health transformation and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, drawing on Egypt’s National Digital Health Strategy (2025–2029) and Brazil’s digital health initiatives.
The meeting further reviewed the exchange of expertise in combating diseases influenced by social determinants, with Egypt sharing its experience in the elimination of hepatitis C, while Brazil outlined its efforts in addressing tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases.
Both sides also discussed developing joint mechanisms for monitoring and responding to vector-borne diseases and emerging epidemics.
Discussions additionally covered universal health coverage, with both sides agreeing on the importance of exchanging expertise and leveraging policy tools that have supported progress in this area in both countries.
They also considered organising joint workshops to strengthen primary healthcare and family health systems as key pillars of national health strategies.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed co-operation in health tourism through the possible establishment of a joint working group on medical tourism.
The two sides also explored personnel exchange programmes involving doctors, nurses and public health managers, with an emphasis on training in primary healthcare and epidemiology information systems.
The discussions also included the proposal to establish a joint working group on climate change and health resilience, aimed at supporting international efforts and contributing to the outcomes of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30).
