Cairo: Deputy Minister of Health and Population Abla El-Alfy held a meeting with Health Specialist at UNICEF Egypt Matreb Rabijon to discuss a national comprehensive plan to train healthcare personnel on newborn care across all governorates during 2025 and 2026, as part of the state's efforts to improve maternal and neonatal health.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting reviewed a proposed collaboration to implement a unified training plan aimed at enhancing the skills of medical teams, reducing neonatal mortality rates, and conducting a field study to identify causes of death and strategies to lower them. The deputy minister emphasized the importance of specifying technical standards for medical equipment based on the needs of each hospital, including providing mobile incubators and small ventilators to stabilize newborns during transport and reduce risks of oxygen deprivation, thereby preventing potential disabilities.
She highlighted a three-level training rollout across all governorates, starting with training the trainers in Cairo and Giza in January and February, followed by expansion to governorates such as Alexandria, with subsequent levels gradually implemented in the same regions. The meeting also addressed the development of the community health worker program, which includes rural health promoters and family counselors-a program in which Egypt is considered a regional leader.
The training content is being updated to include topics such as gender identity, early detection of behavioral deviations in children, supporting families in establishing gender identity, and guidelines for managing diagnosed cases within the family, ensuring children receive appropriate medical or psychological care in cooperation with the Faculty of Childhood Studies. The deputy minister stressed the importance of empowering Egyptian families to raise an aware and balanced generation, considering it a cornerstone of national security.
Dr. Rabijon noted that all medical equipment provided will include a minimum two-year warranty, six months of spare parts, and three years of maintenance, ensuring continuous and safe operation.