Targeting mental health - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
In addition, educational workshops and outreach events were organised to raise awareness regarding major health topics, preventive care, and how to benefit from available services.
According to Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, the spokesman of the Ministry of Health and Population, the 100 Million Health campaign accomplished several successes in demonstrating measurable progress in enhancing public health, and expanding access to preventive and curative services, in addition to improving the quality of life for millions of citizens.
'With each phase, the campaign reinforces the government's vision of aresilient, integrated and equitable healthcare system — one that prioritises citizens' well-being and empowers communities through knowledge, access, and innovation,' Abdel-Ghaffar said.
The health initiative was first launched in October 2018 by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to provide free medical and healthcare services to more than 100 million citizens. The initiative is still actively delivering services to millions of people and has since given rise to 15 additional health campaigns. According to Heba Said, general coordinator of the initiative at the General Authority for Health Insurance, the initiative has successfully eliminated Hepatitis C (HIV) as millions of individuals were screened and treated.
Moreover, millions were screened for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases, with the necessary treatments provided. The initiative also included several campaigns that focused on women's health, such as early breast cancer detection and family planning services, Said stated, adding that pre-marital screening was provided for millions of youths to detect infectious and genetic diseases, and received appropriate counselling. The initiative, according to Said, delivered a variety of healthcare services for children, including vaccinations and routine health checkups.
Fawzi Fathi, executive director of the initiative, pointed out that 50 million people aged over 18 were screened nationwide, 3.2 million secondary school students were screened for HIV all over the country, and 10.7 million students were examined for nutritional disorders, stunting, and obesity.
The campaign identified 2.2 million citizens with HIV antibodies, and 900,000 have so far received HIV treatment through the initiative.
One of the key challenges is ensuring the continuity of services provided by the campaign after its various phases conclude, Fathi said. He added that some cases may require ongoing and precise follow-up to ensure effective treatment and outcomes. Additional efforts may be needed to reach underserved populations, especially in remote areas, Fathi said.
According to Fathi, the first edition focused on screening for Hepatitis C and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, while the second expanded to include early detection and treatment of cancer, with special focus on women's health. The latest edition targeted mental health support, as well as screening and treatment for chronic illnesses and kidney disease.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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