Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s readiness to transfer its successful experience in the health and pharmaceutical sectors to African nations.
Abdelatty made the remarks during his meeting on Monday with Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Jean Kaseya, in the presence of Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement (UPA) Hisham Stait.
The foreign minister commended the existing cooperation between Egypt and the Africa CDC, which aims to push forward the agenda of health and pharmaceutical cooperation across the African continent.
Abdelatty said Egypt pays great attention to the health sector, as being a key pillar for achieving Africa’s sustainable development.
The top Egyptian diplomat highlighted the central role of capacity-building programs organized by Egypt, through the Ministry of Health and Population in cooperation with the Africa CDC.
He said these programs contribute to strengthening the health capacities of African countries, citing ongoing cooperation between the UPA and the Africa CDC in organizing the Africa Health ExCon exhibition.
Abdelatty stated this exhibition has become a continental platform bringing together key stakeholders in Africa’s health and drug sectors, in line with Egypt’s endeavors to promote integration and exchange expertise with African countries.
The foreign minister emphasized Egypt’s keenness to deepen its partnership with the Africa CDC, especially in developing rapid-response mechanisms to health emergencies and in providing medical assistance and essential supplies, notably vaccines and emergency medical equipment.
Abdelatty also praised Egyptian professionals working within the Africa CDC, reaffirming Egypt’s willingness to provide its medical and technical personnel to support the center’s work.
He reviewed presidential health initiatives launched under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, most notably the initiative to eliminate hepatitis C and the “100 Million Healthy Lives” initiative, expressing Egypt’s willingness to expand access to its medicines and health services for African countries.
For his part, the Africa CDC director expressed deep appreciation for Egypt’s advanced capabilities in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, commending the leading part Egypt plays in supporting public health systems across the African continent.
Kaseya said he looks forward to cementing collaboration with Egypt in the coming period and to benefiting from its accumulated expertise in backing the center’s efforts to enhance health security across Africa.
