Dr. Abla Al-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, recently led a meeting of the National Committee on Non-Communicable Diseases. The meeting aimed to review a unified national vision to combat these diseases and achieve healthy longevity as part of Egypt's 2030 strategy. Key attendees included Dr. Mohamed Hassani, Assistant Minister of Health for Public Health Initiatives, and Dr. Hisham Al-Hafnawi, Chairman of the National Committee on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.
The meeting focused on transitioning from isolated efforts and programs to a unified national movement to combat non-communicable diseases from 2026 to 2030. This will be achieved through a clear roadmap, measurable indicators, and regular monitoring mechanisms every three months. The committee emphasized that these diseases represent a significant health challenge in Egypt, accounting for approximately 86% of total deaths.
The meeting reviewed current indicators and targets for 2030, including reducing premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 30% to around 18.8%. Other goals include reducing the prevalence of hypertension to 22.1%, stabilizing diabetes rates, addressing rising obesity rates, which are approaching 40%, reducing tobacco consumption by 30%, and decreasing physical inactivity by 15%.
Dr. Abla Al-Alfi stressed that the next phase requires a unified national vision, expanding disease control programs to around 5,000 primary healthcare units nationwide. This ensures citizens in various governorates, border areas, and villages have access to comprehensive services. She emphasized building a care system based on three levels: family doctors, specialists, and consultants, with expanded telemedicine services.
Dr. Mohamed Hassani highlighted the need to bridge the gap between early detection and continuous treatment, empowering primary care units to provide treatment and follow-up for around 70% to 80% of patients with hypertension and diabetes. Dr. Hisham Al-Hafnawi emphasized that the goal goes beyond disease detection to preventing complications through a continuous care and treatment system.
The meeting proposed several executive measures, including establishing a national electronic portal for training and continuous education in collaboration with the Egyptian Health Council and Princess Fatima Academy. The committee agreed on recommendations, including forming a national technical committee to prepare a unified roadmap, adopting national targets for 2030, and expanding services to around 5,000 health units.
Key points from the meeting include a unified national vision to combat non-communicable diseases, a clear roadmap with measurable indicators, and regular monitoring mechanisms. The committee aims to reduce premature deaths, hypertension, and diabetes rates, while addressing obesity and tobacco consumption.
Key points
- Egypt targets a 30% reduction in premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 2030.
- The country aims to reduce hypertension prevalence to 22.1% by 2030.
- A national electronic portal for training and continuous education will be established.
