Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has announced significant progress under the “Our Children’s Eyes, Our Future” initiative, launched in January 2025 as part of the presidential “100 Million Healthy Lives” campaign.
To date, the initiative has successfully screened more than 3.7 million primary school students during its first and second phases, reinforcing national efforts to safeguard children’s health and well-being.
Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar stated that the initiative focuses on students aged 6 to 12, aiming to detect vision issues at an early stage, including myopia and amblyopia (lazy eye).
He noted that identified cases receive appropriate care, ranging from corrective eyeglasses to necessary surgical procedures, alongside awareness efforts targeting parents and educators on the importance of early diagnosis.
The spokesman further explained that the initiative operates through a comprehensive and coordinated system, beginning with in-school screenings and extending to referrals for specialized care at health insurance clinics. These facilities provide full diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services to ensure continuity of care.
The programme is implemented through a collaborative framework involving the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Local Development, and Lions Clubs International.
Since its launch, the initiative has delivered tangible outcomes, including the distribution of 23,925 eyeglasses, the completion of more than 1,265 surgical procedures, and the provision of medical treatment to 25,155 cases across multiple governorates. These include Sharqia, Fayoum, Alexandria, Gharbia, Minya, Beni Suef, Qalyubia, Giza, Damietta, and Kafr El Sheikh.
The ministry reaffirmed that the initiative represents a vital step toward reducing visual impairment among children, ultimately supporting their academic performance and enhancing their overall quality of life.
