Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, met with Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, to discuss ongoing collaborative projects between the two ministries. The meeting focused on proposals, challenges, and needs related to joint ventures aimed at improving health and urban development in Egypt.
At the start of the meeting, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the ministries, stating that it is crucial for advancing the nation’s vision for human development. He highlighted how residential environments directly affect citizens’ health, psychological well-being, and social stability, noting the improvements in the quality of life over the past decade, which have contributed to an increase in the average life expectancy of Egyptians.
The Minister of Health instructed Dr. Peter Wagih, Head of the Curative Medicine Sector, to form a joint working group to study health indicators in areas where urban development projects have improved living conditions. This initiative will compare health outcomes, particularly in relation to communicable and non-communicable diseases, in both developed and underdeveloped areas. Dr. Rasha Khidr, Head of the Primary Healthcare and Family Development Sector, was also directed to contribute through basic healthcare units.
During the meeting, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar extended an invitation to Eng. El-Sherbiny to participate in the upcoming Global Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development, scheduled for October. He proposed organizing a joint session during the event to highlight the impact of improved urban living conditions on public health.
The discussion also covered a review of Egypt’s hospital construction code, ensuring it aligns with healthcare accreditation standards. They explored investment opportunities in healthcare infrastructure, aiming to engage private sector expertise in the management of medical facilities.
Moreover, the ministers discussed several ongoing healthcare projects, including hospitals in Aswan New City, Obour in Qalyubia, Qena, and Ras Gharib in the Red Sea Governorate. They also deliberated on a medical city project under the Educational Hospitals and Institutes Organization, as well as the selection of 10 companies to support national health projects.
Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny emphasized that human development is a top priority for Egypt and that the Ministry of Housing is working on a comprehensive guide for urban quality of life indicators, in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives. He reiterated that the Ministry’s urban development projects over the past decade have aimed to enhance Egyptians’ quality of life, citing the success in eliminating unsafe informal settlements and providing over 250,000 alternative housing units.
The meeting was attended by several key officials from both ministries, including Dr. Anwar Ismail, Assistant Minister for National Projects, and Dr. Abdel Khaleq Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing for Technical Affairs.
This collaboration marks a continued commitment to enhancing both urban development and public health, contributing to Egypt’s broader vision for sustainable human development.
