Egyptian Health Minister Dr. Khalid Abdel Ghaffar recently delivered a recorded speech at the high-level international dialogue, "Protective Preparedness: Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness Through Resilient Health Systems and Continuity of Essential Health Services," held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The dialogue was co-hosted by the Egyptian and Spanish Ministries of Health and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that preparedness for pandemics goes beyond responding to crises and begins with building health systems that can withstand and maintain essential services during various conditions.
The Minister highlighted the importance of sustainable investment in primary healthcare, surveillance, vaccinations, workforce, supply chains, and community systems. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises have shown that threats are ongoing, interconnected, and unpredictable. Each outbreak tests the capacity of health systems not only to detect and contain but also to maintain programs such as vaccination, maternal and child care, and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar stressed that preparedness for pandemics and the resilience of health systems are two sides of the same responsibility – protecting lives before, during, and after crises. He emphasized the need to strengthen primary care, surveillance capabilities, early detection, supply chains, infrastructure, workforce protection, and community participation. The Minister also underscored the importance of ensuring that preparedness is human-centered and reaches the most vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases.
The high-level dialogue was part of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar's speech highlighted the need for a transition from lessons learned to strengthening health systems, from commitments to implementation, and from fragmented efforts to genuine international solidarity. He emphasized that equity should be at the core of preparedness, ensuring that all countries have the capacity for early detection, protection of healthcare workers, maintenance of essential services, and access to medical measures.
The Egyptian Health Minister also noted the significance of the United Nations high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. He called for a shift from rhetoric to concrete actions and sustainable investments in health systems. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar concluded his speech by emphasizing that resilience is built long before a crisis and is tested during it. A resilient health system is one that continues to provide essential care while responding to outbreaks and maintains health gains.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, along with the Egyptian and Spanish Ministries of Health, co-hosted the high-level dialogue to emphasize the importance of building resilient health systems. The event brought together ministers, officials, and leaders from international organizations and humanitarian institutions. Participants discussed ways to enhance pandemic preparedness and response through cooperation and sustainable investments in health systems.
Key stakeholders, including ministers and officials from the UAE, Norway, Spain, and leaders of international organizations, participated in the dialogue. The discussions focused on translating experiences into concrete actions and sustainable investments in health systems. The outcome of the dialogue aims to inform global efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.
Key points
- Egyptian Health Minister Dr. Khalid Abdel Ghaffar emphasizes that pandemic preparedness starts with building resilient health systems capable of withstanding various conditions.
- Dr. Abdel Ghaffar highlights the importance of sustainable investment in primary healthcare, surveillance, vaccinations, workforce, supply chains, and community systems.
- The high-level dialogue aims to enhance pandemic preparedness and response through cooperation and sustainable investments in health systems.
