
Egypt and Morocco to host the Regional Center for Raising Bio-Manufacturing Capacities (RCCN)
In this context, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, stressed that the success of the Egyptian file reflects the Egyptian state's commitment to developing the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, especially in the field of vaccines, and enhancing scientific research in the field of biotechnology.
He added that this achievement comes within Egypt's strategy to enhance health security, not only locally, but also on the African continent, in line with the state's vision of localizing the vaccine industry and achieving self-sufficiency in it.
The announcement of this achievement came on the sidelines of the Second Forum on Vaccine and Health Products Manufacturing for African Union Member States, organized by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the Regional Vaccine Manufacturing Center (RVMC), and hosted by the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority in Cairo during the period from 4 to 6 February 2025.
The Egyptian Vaccine Manufacturers Alliance (EVMA) includes six main entities, namely the Egyptian Unified Procurement Authority, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the Egyptian Drug Authority, the Faculty of Pharmacy – Ain Shams University, and the Faculty of Pharmacy – Cairo University, in addition to the alliance's member manufacturers, namely Vacsera, Biogeneric Pharma, the Egyptian Vaccine City, Genvax, and Eva Pharma.
The alliance submitted this file within the framework of the strategy to raise local and regional capacities to develop the workforce in the field of biomanufacturing, and to enhance industrial integration among African countries in this vital field.
The Ministry of Higher Education said in a statement that Egypt's success in hosting the regional center to raise vital manufacturing capacities for North Africa is a pivotal step towards achieving self-sufficiency in vaccines and enhancing vital manufacturing capacities on the continent.
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Mada
a day ago
- Mada
Source: Al-Azhar grand imam withdrew call to save Gaza at foreign minister's request
Al-Azhar withdrew a Tuesday night statement in which it had called on 'active and influential forces' to stop Israel's genocidal war and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. The following afternoon, it justified the withdrawal in a new statement from its media office in which it said it 'realized' the statement 'could affect the ongoing negotiations.' According to Al-Azhar, the decision to withdraw, which it called brave and responsible, came so the statement 'would not be used as an excuse to retreat from the negotiations or to bargain in them.' A source close to Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayeb told Mada Masr on condition of anonymity that Tayeb withdrew the statement after Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty urged him to do so, saying it may obstruct negotiations that are close to reaching a solution that would allow humanitarian aid to enter the besieged Gaza Strip. Palestinians in Gaza have been under an almost total siege since March. The recalled statement came amid increasing global calls to end the war and stop Israel's mass starvation of Palestinians, as the number of people dying from starvation and malnutrition rises. Ten people died from malnutrition-related causes in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Muneer al-Barsh. Tuesday's statement called on 'active and influential forces to do their utmost' to compel Israel to halt its systematic killing of Palestinians, 'immediately allow the entry of humanitarian and relief aid, and open all avenues for treating the sick and injured whose health conditions have deteriorated as a result of the Occupation's targeting of hospitals and medical facilities, in flagrant violation of all divine laws and international conventions.' It was removed from its pages hours later without comment until the following afternoon. The source explained that Tayeb made the decision to remove the statement in case doing so could expedite the entry of 'one bag of flour' to the people of Gaza in light of Abdel Atty's warnings that the ongoing negotiations would be 'ruined' by its publication, which came on behalf of the Egyptian and Qatari mediator according to the source. Last week, Doha was still hosting the first phase of a new round of negotiations that aims to reach an 'agreement of principles' that would serve as a basis for indirect ceasefire talks. At the same time, the United States, Qatar and Egypt presented both Palestinian factions and Israelis with an updated proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. But negotiations have stalled over Hamas's demands for a guarantee that Israel will not resume its war, and over the extent to which the Israeli military will withdraw from areas its forces are occupying in the Gaza Strip. Even amid talks toward a negotiated ceasefire, Israel has established newly fortified areas while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared plans to concentrate most of the Palestinians in Gaza to a confined area, which he dubbed a 'humanitarian city,' near the border with Egypt and resume the war once the truce supported by the US and the mediators ends. The deleted statement said that 'thousands of children and innocent people are being killed in cold blood, while the ones who survive are facing death from hunger, thirst, dehydration, the depletion of medicine and the failure of medical centers to save them from certain death.' It also declared Al-Azhar's 'disavowal before God of this suspicious global silence, the shameful international failure to support these defenseless people, and of any call to displace the people of Gaza from their land, and anyone who accepts or responds to these calls.' The statement, covered widely by domestic press before its withdrawal, which led to some coverage being taken down, was not the first from Tayeb concerning the genocidal war on Gaza. Since October 7, he has expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza, rejection of their displacement, criticism of the Israeli occupation and support for the Palestinian resistance on multiple occasions. This rhetoric does not always align with the official government discourse. Abdel Atty had contacted Tayeb on a previous occasion to change the wording of one of these statements, in parallel with a similar request which came at the time from a 'sovereign body,' according to the source. Al-Azhar's deleted statement comes as humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip deteriorate, amid an increase in the number of deaths from hunger and malnutrition as a result of Israel's starvation policies. Israel has been preventing the entry of humanitarian aid for months, blocking the regular aid entry and distribution mechanisms, while Israeli forces open fire on a daily basis at the people who approach the aid distribution centers designated by Israel. Thirty Western countries called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza on Monday, saying that the suffering of Palestinians has 'reached new depths.' The joint statement condemned 'the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food,' noting that 'over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.' The group also condemned Netanyahu's plans to displace the population to a 'humanitarian city' as a violation of international humanitarian law. For its part, Hamas pointed yesterday to 'the extent of blackmail practiced by the Occupation through its committing of massacres in a desperate attempt to extract positions it has been unable to impose at the negotiating table.'


Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
INTERVIEW: Nothing in medicine as cost effective as vaccination - Professor Jaime Fergie - Health - Life & Style
In an interview with Ahram Online, Professor Jaime Fergie, Director of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Driscoll Children's Hospital, USA, expressed his concern about the rebound of several infectious diseases. Speaking to Ahram Online during his visit to Cairo, Professor Fergie pointed out that many people around the world are vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections as they did not receive their routine vaccinations during the pandemic. AhramOnline (AO): What is the purpose of your visit to Egypt, and what are the main themes you'll be discussing with Egyptian paediatricians? Jaime Fergie: I'm here to speak with colleagues about the importance of using the newer pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) to protect children from both invasive and mucosal pneumococcal infections. The US introduced the first conjugate PCV in 2000, starting with a vaccine that covered seven strains. We've since progressed to broader vaccines covering 13, and now 20 of the most relevant pneumococcal types. The aim is to expand protection for both children and adults. AO: Do PCV types vary between high-income and low-to middle-income countries? JF: There are slight regional differences, but overall, the top 20 types included in the newer vaccines cover the most important strains globally. AO: How has paediatric infectious disease evolved, especially post-pandemic? JF: During the pandemic, infections like RSV, flu, and pneumococcus dropped due to social distancing. Post-pandemic, we've seen a sharp rebound. A major concern is the number of children who have missed routine vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable. We're still working to catch up. AO: What are the main challenges in diagnosing infectious diseases in children compared to adults? JF: Young children often can't describe symptoms, so we rely on caregivers. Early symptoms—such as fever, fatigue, and poor appetite—can appear similar across various infections. Differentiating between viruses and bacterial infections can be tricky. Additionally, children's conditions can deteriorate rapidly, making early intervention and prevention through vaccination crucial. Vaccination remains the most cost-effective tool in paediatrics. AO: Why is it important to vaccinate children with cancer? JF: Ideally, children should be vaccinated before any cancer diagnosis. But even during early treatment stages, vaccination remains vital. Cancer weakens the immune system, making infections more dangerous. Pneumococcal infections, in particular, can lead to severe outcomes such as meningitis and pneumonia. Therefore, protection is critical. AO: What other high-risk groups face threats from infectious diseases? JF: Children with HIV, sickle cell disease, immune deficiencies, or no spleen are at high risk. Similarly, those with cochlear implants, kidney disease, or asthma. These children are more vulnerable to severe infections. The best approach is to include vaccines like the PCV in national immunisation programmes. I've seen firsthand how vaccination has reduced the incidence of serious diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia in the US. AO: What is the best paediatric immunisation strategy for low-and middle-income countries? JF: The WHO recommends key vaccines for all national programmes, including those for rotavirus, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and measles. Pneumococcal vaccines are also essential. Recently, vaccines for RSV have been introduced, given to pregnant women to protect newborns. While some vaccines, such as meningococcal, are less common globally, they're vital in specific settings, such as during pilgrimage travel. Immunisation should ideally start at two months of age. Financial barriers can be addressed by working with the WHO and organisations like Gavi, which help low-income countries access vaccines. AO: What would you say to people still sceptical about vaccines? JF: It's frustrating, considering how far we've come in preventing disease. Vaccines go through rigorous testing before being approved. While mild side effects like fever or soreness are possible, vaccines prevent illnesses we no longer see thanks to immunisation. The evidence for safety and effectiveness is overwhelming. AO: Finally, what's your message to parents, paediatricians, and policymakers? JF: To parents: Vaccines are safe, effective, and life-saving. I vaccinated my children and want the same protection for all. To paediatricians: Use the best tools available—the latest vaccines offer broader protection. To policymakers: You hold the power to improve children's health. Prioritising vaccination saves lives and is one of the wisest investments a country can make. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Watani
a day ago
- Watani
Atlas of Egyptian Cities wins
Egypt's 'Atlas of Egyptian Cities' Geoportal has won the 2025 Special Achievement Award in GIS (SAG) granted by Esri, the California-based Environmental Systems Research Institute. GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems. The Atlas of Sustainable Egyptian Cities, which was launched at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in November 2024 in Egypt, is a geoportal launched to guide cities in adapting to environmental risks and promoting sustainable urban planning. It is a collaborative effort highlighting Egypt's commitment to sustainable development, particularly in the face of climate change. The geoportal serves as a guide for cities to adapt to environmental risks and supports sustainability-conscious urban planning. It is intended to be a key tool for implementing national strategies such as 'Egypt Vision 2030' and the 'National Climate Change Strategy 2050'. The Atlas of [Sustainable] Egyptian Cities was created through a partnership among the Egyptian Ministry of Local Development, the World Bank, and Esri. The platform's database enables policymakers to assess the impacts of climate change, optimise service distribution, and plan projects more efficiently. Minister of Local Development Manal Awad received the 2025 SAG Award during the Esri International User Conference, held in San Diego, California. She was handed the award by Jack Dangermond, president and founder of Esri, the global leader in geographic information systems. On its Facebook page, Esri North Africa posted the news and mentioned that 'Location Intelligence plays a vital role in shaping the future of our planet, not only as an integral part in designing smarter cities, but also in driving digital transformation, and advancing sustainable development goals'. A congratulatory message was posted for Egypt's Ministry of Local Development on this unparalleled achievement. 'We are extremely proud of the remarkable outcomes of our collaboration, and look forward to continued success and greater GIS empowerment in support of the Ministry's digital transformation journey!' Dr Awad pointed out that Egypt's Ministry of Local Development is spearheading one of the most comprehensive spatial and economic development efforts across numerous Egyptian villages and cities, efforts that require advanced data-driven tools and technological capabilities. She noted that geographic information systems have become integral to planning, decision-making, evaluation, and local monitoring processes. She said Esri is a strategic partner capable of supporting the Ministry in building a robust knowledge infrastructure for managing development both locally and nationally. Dr Awad highlighted the 'Atlas of Egyptian Cities' as a national platform built on spatial data to track urban performance indicators, identify development gaps, and monitor climatic and demographic shifts. She noted the ministry's ambition to transform the platform into a dynamic tool that offers predictive analytics, periodic updates, and informed support for investment and policy decisions, leveraging Esri's advanced technologies. The Minister also expressed interest in strengthening collaboration with Esri across various strategic initiatives in Egypt's governorates, including solid waste management, land encroachment control, local asset management, and spatial change monitoring. Mr Dangermond praised the ministry's significant progress in integrating GIS into its development plans and reaffirmed Esri's commitment to supporting Egypt's efforts through tailored solutions, knowledge sharing, and institutional capacity-building. Esri is the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. Established in 1969, it has supported customers with geographic science and geospatial analytics. On its website, Esri posted: 'We take a geographic approach to problem-solving, brought to life by modern, enterprise-grade GIS technology. We are committed to using science and technology to build a sustainable world. 'Our greatest challenges—including climate change, sustainability, and social and economic inequality—are interrelated and inherently tied to issues of geography. A science-based, geographic approach can help us understand these interconnected problems holistically by integrating all kinds of information.' Watani International 23 July 2025 Comments comments Tags: 2025 SAG award Esri GISAtlas of Egyptian Cities geoportalMariam Awad