Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population has announced plans to launch a national programme for the early detection and treatment of childhood cancers in January 2027. The programme, named "Noor Saghir", is expected to cost EGP 1.8bn and aims to reduce diagnosis times by at least 20%. The initiative is Egypt's first integrated national programme dedicated to the early detection of childhood cancers.
The programme will cover children from birth to 18 years of age and will initially focus on six common and highly treatable cancers. These include acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms tumour, low-grade glioma, and retinoblastoma. The ministry plans to integrate screening for warning signs into existing healthcare services, including vaccination visits and growth monitoring.
More than 25,000 healthcare workers are expected to receive training to recognise potential warning signs and make appropriate referrals. Screening procedures will vary according to age and will include red-reflex eye examinations for newborns and infants. Checks will also be conducted during vaccination and growth-monitoring visits for children under five, and periodic examinations will be carried out through school health clinics for older children.
The ministry plans to expand the programme's coverage to rural and remote health units to improve access to early detection services. The initiative will operate through a three-tier healthcare system, starting with primary healthcare units and school clinics. This will be followed by early-diagnosis clinics and specialist cancer centres for confirmation of diagnosis and treatment.
Each child presenting with suspected warning signs will be monitored throughout the referral process until a diagnosis is established and treatment begins. The programme will also provide families with information and guidance through a hotline and coordinate treatment with Egypt's health insurance system and specialised paediatric oncology centres.
Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar has directed the establishment of a dedicated psychological support mechanism for children and their families throughout the diagnosis and treatment process. The programme aims to detect childhood cancers early and improve treatment outcomes. Egypt's Ministry of Health is leading the initiative to reduce the burden of childhood cancer in the country.
The "Noor Saghir" initiative is a significant step towards improving healthcare services for children in Egypt. The programme's success will depend on effective implementation, training of healthcare workers, and public awareness. Key aspects of the programme include its focus on early detection, integration with existing healthcare services, and provision of psychological support to families.
Key points
- The programme aims to reduce diagnosis times by at least 20%.
- The initiative will cover children from birth to 18 years of age.
- More than 25,000 healthcare workers are expected to receive training under the programme.
