Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in several areas, most notably the localization of pharmaceutical and vaccine production in Egypt.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health and Population noted that the meeting took place in Cairo, where the UN official praised Egypt’s "pioneering" role in supporting humanitarian causes, including its efforts to receive and provide necessary healthcare to injured individuals from Palestine and Sudan.

The ministry added that the two sides discussed ways to expand Egypt’s "leading" experience in launching health initiatives for the early detection of cancerous tumors, which have achieved positive results and notable success in improving citizens’ health.

They also explored future cooperation opportunities in human development, governance, digital transformation, and the development of a scientific approach to reduce road traffic accidents.

According to the statement, Abdel Ghaffar commended the productive and constructive cooperation between the WHO and Egypt’s Ministry of Health, expressing gratitude for the organization’s continued support for programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing public health in Egypt.