AstraZeneca, the world leader in the production and manufacture of medical drugs and vaccines, announced its participation in the second edition of Africa Health ExCon, which takes place from the 6th to the 9th of June, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, with the participation of 45 thousand visitors from 75 countries across the world.
This comes within the framework of the company’s strategy that seeks to intensify its efforts to support in the advancement of healthcare through science and innovation. AstraZeneca showcased the latest technological developments in the field of healthcare and tools through which it seeks to benefit society in all aspects of healthcare.
Cancer Care Africa
Besides, on the sidelines of the Africa Health ExCon 2023, AstraZeneca has also announced the continuation of its “Act on Cancer Care Africa” programme. Followed by a panel discussion entitled: “Africa’s Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Cancer Care’’, which was attended by the experts; Professor Mohamed Awad Taj Al Din, Advisor to President on Health and Prevention Affairs, Gen.Dr. Bahaa Eldin Zidan, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and the Management of Medical Technology, Prof. Mohamed Abdullah, Prof of Clinical Oncology at Cairo University, Head of research center (MASRI) together with Dr. Mohamed Abdulaziz, Head of Division for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Hisham Al Ghazaly, Professor of Clinical Oncology Ain Shams University and Head of presidential initiatives women’s Health, Africa CDC. The panel was moderated by Dr. Nermin Mostafa, Lecturer of clinical Oncology at Ain shams University.
The panel discussion tackled the programme’s objective which is to provide a collaborative platform for all partners to develop effective solutions to combat cancer by bridging the gaps in the current approach to patient care, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Over the next three years, the programme aims to accelerate the fight against cancer in Africa by providing medical examinations and diagnoses to approximately one million people suffering from various types of cancer in Egypt. Additionally, the program will train more than 4000 healthcare professionals in Egypt.
(CKD) Chronic Kidney Disease
Adding to the previous, AstraZeneca signed partnership agreement with the Egyptian Healthcare Authority, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed al-Sobki, Chairman of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority. This partnership agreement aims to accentuate the burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), as well as focuses on directing policies towards early diagnosis. Through this partnership, AstraZeneca aims at running 200,000 tests and early detection of CKD, sensitizing patients, in addition to training the medical staff of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority.
Moreover, as part of the event, AstraZeneca organized a symposium on CKD that witness the attendance of the esteemed Dr. Mohamed El Akkad, Head of the Central Administration of Therapeutic and health care of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA), Dr. Hany Hafez, Prof of Nephrology at Cairo University President of the AFRAN, Dr. Radwa Emam, Head of the Health promotions and initiatives in the EHA, Dr. Gloria Ashuntantang, Dean Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda-Cameroon, Past President of AFRAN, Dr. Facial Jarraya, Prof Nephrology, University of Sfax, Tunisia and General secretary of AFRAN, Dr. Sherif Waguih, Medical Director at AstraZeneca Egypt, and moderated by Dr. Sherif Kamal, UHI President assistant for pharmaceutical affairs.
The symposium has discussed how governments and healthcare providers should take urgent measures to improve the lives of the patients. It encompassed awareness campaigns that were shown through screening the implementation of evidence-based international guidelines related to CKD. The company also highlighted that the lack of awareness pertaining to CKD and the associated risk factors might further lead to inaccurate diagnosis of the condition, which lessens the chancing of finding a cure, and hinders the methods of treatment.
Commenting on the event, Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President, AstraZeneca MEA, said, “At AstraZeneca, we are committed to delivering equitable health to all, regardless of geography. Through our flagship Cancer Care Africa programme, we aim to address the barriers to cancer care in Africa, and support health systems to be more accessible, resilient, and sustainable.
For his part, Hatem El Werdany, AstraZeneca Egypt Country President, has expressed his pride in participating in the exhibition by mentioning: AstraZeneca, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, so it must have a significant and influential presence in these important events directly linked to the healthcare sector in Egypt.
He added: “We always play an active role in everything relevant to the promotion of healthcare in the region. We are also pleased that AstraZeneca is joining hands with health authorities in Egypt. Not to mention the company’s key presence in the Egyptian market that has been spanning for more than five decades. We also want to clarify that the company seeks to expand its local footprint to support Egyptian patients, and provide innovative solutions to all diseases.”
