Cairo: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli on Saturday reaffirmed the vital role of the Egyptian Ambulance Authority (EAA) as a cornerstone of the national healthcare system, describing it as the first line of defense in saving lives and a key player in crisis and disaster response, as well as in implementing public health initiatives: Speaking during a major ceremony held at the EAA headquarters in 6th of October City, to mark 123 years since the launch of Egypt's ambulance services, Madbouli highlighted the Authority's contributions on both national and regional levels. He commended its humanitarian support for people fleeing conflict in neighboring countries, including Palestine and Sudan.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouli reaffirmed the state's commitment, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, to enhancing the health system and supporting the Egyptian Ambulance Organization to continue delivering efficient and modern emergency service. In his speech, Madbouli commended the Egyptian Ambulance Service saying: 'This distinguished entity has carried a noble mission and a great humanitarian responsibility-to save lives and provide urgent care to those in need across every inch of Egypt, throughout years.'

Madbouli emphasized the tremendous development of the Egyptian Ambulance System over 123 years of continuous service, with thousands of paramedics and ambulance stations and vehicles deployed across the country to serve all citizens. He hailed the newly introduced services of the Egyptian Ambulance Organization, through collaboration with other state institutions, including the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Egyptian Ambulance Organization on a 17,000-square-meter site, and the launch of the organization's call center, the largest government call center in Egypt and the Middle East, with a capacity of 187 seats and equipped with the latest communication technology.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, a number of ministers, governors, parliament members, Chairman of the EAA Amr Rashid, Arab and foreign ambassadors along with health, finance and corporate sector representatives. Before the ceremony, Madbouli posed for a photo opportunity with EAA officials and staff and viewed an exhibition of historic ambulance vehicles and documents dating back to the early 20th century.

In his speech, Abdel Ghaffar praised the continuous development of emergency medical services in Egypt, noting that the authority became a model of modern emergency response, based on advanced training, equipment, and rapid response capabilities. He commended the dedication of EAA personnel and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting them. He paid special tribute to former health minister Hatem el Gabaly, who was behind the issuance of Presidential Decree no 39 of 2009 that transformed the EAA into a public service authority with its own budget and international partnerships.

For his part, Chairman of the EAA Amr Rashid described the celebration as the launchpad for a new era in ambulance services, powered entirely by Egyptian expertise. He highlighted the great interest in developing the ambulance system, referring to the authority's largest-ever deal to get 1,000 up-to-date ambulances under the 'Decent Life Ambulance Fleet' initiative. He noted that several projects were launched during the ceremony with an aim to improve ambulance and emergency healthcare services, including the opening of Egypt's first government call center using global outsourcing standards and the implementation of a smart fleet control system.

The event concluded with a ceremonial recognition of distinguished EAA personnel for their exceptional service, including those who played crucial roles in rescuing the injured, safeguarding patients' belongings, and demonstrating unwavering commitment. Former health minister Hatem el Gabaly was also honored for his foundational role in the Authority's development.