Egyptian Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with Dr. John Kasiya, Director General of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to discuss enhancing cooperation on public health and pandemic preparedness. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin. The two officials reviewed existing initiatives and discussed new ways to collaborate on emergency response and local production of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
The meeting covered various aspects of cooperation, including monitoring and reviewing existing initiatives and commitments. Dr. Hussam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Health, stated that the meeting aimed to enhance cooperation in public health and pandemic preparedness. The discussions focused on supporting local manufacturing of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in Africa.
The operational status of the North African Regional Coordination Center, affiliated with the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was also discussed. The two officials explored ways to activate the center's role in enhancing regional health coordination and supporting member states' technical capabilities. This aims to improve preparedness for health emergencies.
The meeting also addressed setting priorities for the regional center's work in the coming year. This includes enhancing regional epidemic surveillance systems, preparing for emergency situations, and implementing technical training programs. The officials also discussed exchanging information and experiences.
Egypt's assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda during the 2026 Ebola outbreak was also reviewed. The discussions focused on lessons learned and opportunities to develop coordination mechanisms and provide medical support to affected African countries.
The possibility of establishing an organized coordination mechanism between Egypt and the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention was discussed. This mechanism would focus on providing medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and Egyptian technical expertise during health crises. The aim is to enhance African health sovereignty by expanding cooperation in local pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturing.
The meeting concluded with a focus on enhancing cooperation to build more resilient and sustainable health systems in Africa. Egypt's participation in the African Union's single-purchasing mechanism was also discussed. This aims to support the development of local health systems and improve pandemic preparedness.
Key points
- Egypt and the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention discussed cooperation on public health and pandemic preparedness.
- The two officials reviewed existing initiatives and discussed new ways to collaborate on emergency response and local production of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
- The meeting aimed to enhance African health sovereignty by expanding cooperation in local pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturing.
