Cairo: Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, convened with a delegation from the World Health Organization to deliberate on the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC). This meeting occurred alongside a workshop focused on Egypt's involvement in the initiative, reflecting the nation's dedication to advancing healthcare and fostering international collaborations to enhance patient care.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, detailed the Ministry's implementation efforts of the GICC, a global program launched in 2018 with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The initiative, which Egypt joined in September 2023, targets childhood cancer treatment and aims to elevate the survival rate to 60% by 2030.
Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the initiative's goals of offering complete support to patients, boosting survival rates, improving access to essential medicines and technologies, and enhancing the quality of medical services. He noted the formation of a national committee for childhood cancer in February 2024, tasked with evaluating the current state of care and developing treatment protocols aligned with international standards.
The meeting also explored Egypt's prospective role as an advisory team in 2025, aiding other countries in the program, showcasing Egypt's regional influence in childhood cancer treatment. Abdel Ghaffar highlighted objectives such as increasing community awareness, ensuring medicine availability, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and reducing mortality rates. The initiative also seeks to develop specialized treatment strategies and establish a regional model of excellence in the Middle East.
Dr Neama Abed, WHO's representative in Egypt, lauded Egypt's healthcare efforts, notably its successful Hepatitis C eradication and its initiatives in women's health, underscoring the country's commitment to sustainable health development goals.
Dr Maha Ibrahim, Head of the Secretariat of Specialized Medical Centres, confirmed the Secretariat's crucial role in advancing GICC objectives by enhancing cancer care services and updating treatment protocols, contributing to higher survival rates. She reiterated the Secretariat's dedication to supporting the Ministry's mission to provide optimal care for children with cancer.