Latest news with #Bedaya
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Addressing population challenge requires holistic planning, youth empowerment: Health Minister
Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has stressed that addressing the country's population challenges demands more than demographic data—it requires a comprehensive approach centered on education, employment, and youth engagement. Speaking during a panel discussion organized by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) to mark World Population Day, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that Egypt records approximately 5,378 births each day—nearly one every second. 'The human being is the icon of development,' he said, emphasizing that human development lies at the core of Egypt's national priorities. He also pointed to the government's ongoing collaboration with UN agencies to advance population and health initiatives. The panel featured senior officials including CAPMAS head General Khairat Barakat, UNFPA Representative in Egypt Yves Sassenrath, and UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova. General Barakat underlined the critical role of accurate data in achieving sustainable development, announcing that Egypt's population reached 107.85 million as of mid-2025. While acknowledging some signs of progress, he noted that birth rates remain high in Upper Egypt. Barakat also presented key findings from the 2025 Egyptian Family Survey, conducted under the 'Bedaya' (Beginning) initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. The survey offers in-depth insights into reproductive health, family planning, and unplanned pregnancies—data that will support more targeted and effective population policies. UNFPA's Yves Sassenrath commended Egypt's commitment to population and development goals, citing a decline in fertility rates as a positive sign. He praised the 'Bedaya' initiative for its contribution to improving healthcare services and stressed that empowering youth is central to achieving long-term sustainability. UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova echoed this view, noting that Egypt has responded proactively to demographic challenges with innovative governance reforms and effective public programs. 'Youth remain the most vital partner in shaping Egypt's future,' she said..
See - Sada Elbalad
a day ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Confronts Population Challenges with Ambitious Initiatives, Says Panova
Ahmed Emam Marking World Population Day, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova praised the country's proactive measures to address complex population dynamics, highlighting national initiatives such as 'Mawadda' and 'Bedaya' as critical tools for empowering citizens and fostering sustainable development. In her address at a ceremony attended by Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, government officials, UN partners, and youth representatives, the UN official underscored that population trends are shaped not only by policies but also by deeply personal decisions about family and parenthood. 'We are living through a moment of deep fragility. Around the world, crises are compounding and feeding off each other, from armed conflicts to the accelerating climate crisis,' she noted. 'In this landscape, certainty has become a luxury, and business as usual is a risk we can no longer afford.' Despite global challenges, she described Egypt as a powerful example of forward-looking leadership. 'Through the Presidential Initiative Bedaya, the government is advancing human development with a bold commitment to education, health, social protection, and job creation,' she said, linking these efforts to Egypt's Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Panova pointed to findings from Egypt's national studies, including the 2021 Egypt Family Health Survey (EFHS), which reflect a 'real fertility crisis'—not of sheer numbers but of 'unmet hopes,' as economic uncertainty, social norms, and gender inequality hinder many Egyptians from realizing their reproductive aspirations. However, Egypt is responding with practical interventions. Initiatives like Mawadda aim to provide families with knowledge and support for informed reproductive choices, while economic resilience strategies underpin the sustainability of large-scale programs like Bedaya. 'Reproductive rights are not just about individual dignity; they are key to sustainable development, national progress, and social stability,' the UN Resident Coordinator emphasized. She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to working alongside Egypt, noting that the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is fully aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, supporting efforts to build human capital, promote gender equality, and strengthen governance. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, she pointed to a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed between the National Population Council and the Ministry of Local Development as a model of inter-ministerial cooperation essential for delivering change at the grassroots level. In a message to Egypt's youth, she concluded: 'You are not mere observers of Egypt's development; you are its co-creators, shaping tomorrow with every decision you make. We trust that our collective efforts will empower every Egyptian to shape the future they deserve—and light the way toward a world where choice is free, every voice matters, and no one is left behind.' World Population Day, observed annually on July 11, serves as a global call to raise awareness of population issues and their links to sustainable development, health, and human rights. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Daily News Egypt
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Al-Sisi pushes for accelerated health, education reforms, AI integration
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a series of high-level meetings on Wednesday to assess progress in Egypt's human development strategy, with a particular focus on healthcare, population policy, and education reform. Meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, the president reviewed initiatives under the National Project for Human Development. These efforts include the rollout of 300 integrated development centers, expansion of early childhood services through increased nursery capacity, and holistic programs targeting physical, mental, and social health—aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030. Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shenawy reported that Minister Abdel Ghaffar provided updates on the national population strategy, part of the presidential 'Bedaya' initiative aimed at improving demographic indicators. Progress includes declines in child stunting, obesity, and anemia, alongside a projected reduction in the annual population growth rate to 1.34% in 2025, down from 1.4% the previous year. Al-Sisi also reviewed the status of healthcare infrastructure projects across 11 governorates. In FY 2025, Egypt will complete the construction or renovation of 20 hospitals at a cost of EGP 11.7bn, adding nearly 2,650 beds—including 458 intensive care, 442 neonatal, and 1,749 inpatient beds. These facilities will also be equipped with 542 dialysis units and 95 operating rooms, with completed projects in South Sinai, Gharbia, Minya, Qena, Assiut, Ismailia, and Aswan. The president received a briefing on Phase Two of the Universal Health Insurance System, which covers Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, Minya, Matrouh, and North Sinai. The plan includes upgrading 11 hospitals and constructing 19 new ones, with total capacity expected to reach 10,517 beds. Additionally, 534 new primary care units are being built, bringing the national total to 669. The estimated budget for this phase is EGP 115bn. Stressing the importance of timely and high-quality implementation, Al-Sisi also reviewed the national digital health transformation plan. Key elements include electronic health records, artificial intelligence integration, a national health information exchange, and global partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability. In a key directive, Al-Sisi instructed officials to explore the integration of artificial intelligence as a mandatory subject in school curricula—underscoring a shift toward future-focused education. The president also reviewed the progress of 15 presidential health initiatives covering all age groups. To date, more than 234 million health services have been delivered through 3,527 facilities. The 'Ending Surgical Waitlists' initiative has served nearly 2.7 million patients since 2018, and over 2.1 million individuals have received state-funded treatment in 2025 alone, costing EGP 23.2bn. The discussions also touched on Egypt's drive to localize pharmaceutical and medical device production. Al-Sisi called for new incentives to attract investment in this critical sector, aiming to meet domestic needs and expand exports. He also urged improvements in working conditions for healthcare professionals, along with greater access to advanced training—especially in AI-powered medical applications. In a separate meeting, Al-Sisi discussed educational reform with Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif and Egyptian Military Academy Director Lt. Gen. Ashraf Salem Zaher. The talks focused on improving teacher selection and training, with new frameworks emphasizing academic, technical, and personal development through national institutions and training centers. Reaffirming the state's commitment to education reform, Al-Sisi emphasized the importance of developing the human element. 'Teachers are the cornerstone of the education system,' he said, calling for continued support, objective recruitment processes, and sustained investment in teacher development.
Middle East
20-03-2025
- Health
- Middle East
OPEN// Cabinet: Egypt's Global Social Progress Index rank jumps 5.8 points, recording 57.56
CAIRO, March 20 (MENA) - The Cabinet's media center revealed that Egypt's performance has improved according to the Global Social Progress Index by approximately 5.8 points to record 57.56 points in 2024, against 51.76 points in 2014. The index measures social progress achieved by a country through three dimensions, including the basic needs dimension, which measures a number of sub-indicators related to health, education, housing and drinking water and sanitation services, according to a report issued by the Cabinet's media center on Thursday. The report includes infograph highlighting the tangible efforts made by the state to achieve social justice, including multiple initiatives and projects that place the citizen at the top of state's priorities. "Egypt has made remarkable progress in promoting social justice and inclusive development through initiatives such as "Decent Life" and "Bedaya" that have significantly improved living standards in rural areas by providing basic services and creating job opportunities," Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) office in Cairo Eric Oechslin was quoted by the Cabinet's report as saying. The United Nations said the launch of the "Decent Life" initiative by the political leadership has contributed to improving the living conditions of the deprived rural communities as regards providing decent housing, sanitation, clean water, education, and health, tge report read. Meanwhile, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the government on launching the human development project, pointing out that investing in health doesn't only saves lives but also drives development and economic growth by qualifying a healthy and productive workforce and protecting future generations, the report stated. The Global Social Progress Index reveals that policymakers, investors, and other decision-makers can make a tangible difference now with the prospect of a strong social progress recovery. The index explores how focusing resources can make a difference in areas like health, sustainability, rights and freedom, and gender equity. It also analyzes the performance of countries and regions, showcasing new opportunities for decision-makers to make an impact. The Global Social Progress Index encompasses 13 years (2011-2023) of social progress data across 170 countries. (MENA) A A E/S R E
