Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Launches Cairo Office to Serve the Region

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, hosted the launch ceremony of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) office on [Date]. EMPHNET works to strengthen public health practices across 15 countries, stretching from Bangladesh to Morocco. The event was attended by EMPHNET’s Executive Director, Dr. Muhannad Al-Nsour, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Amr Kandil, and a host of experts and health officials from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond.

Dr. Al-Nsour stated that the Cairo office is the culmination of a 20-year collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Health. This collaboration has focused on serving the health sector and providing advanced training for medical professionals in various public health fields. He highlighted a new training program with 28 public health organizations. EMPHNET’s programs emphasize integrated teams from relevant stakeholders to improve medical service quality, collaborating across health, social, psychological, agricultural, veterinary, and environmental sectors.

In his address, Dr. Al-Nsour emphasized the critical importance of developing the skills and capabilities of healthcare workers, especially in light of natural and human-made crises facing the region. He viewed the Cairo office as a strategic step towards broader partnerships to enhance multi-sectoral responses to health challenges. He expressed optimism that the new office will bring the organization closer to its vision of healthier communities and looked forward to seeing the impact on the region’s health.

Dr. Amr Kandil, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Health and Population, highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with international organizations, including the World Health Organization and EMPHNET. He noted the close cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ministry’s preparedness to confront epidemics, pandemics, and natural disasters through various strategies to address such risks, identify needs, and provide solutions.

The launch included a presentation showcasing EMPHNET’s contributions to regional public health, a short video highlighting its achievements and initiatives in Egypt, and discussions on current activities, particularly with the Ministry of Health and Population. These activities included Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs), combating communicable diseases, developing healthcare worker skills, and building qualified leadership cadres. A panel discussion explored future cooperation and opportunities to strengthen joint efforts in addressing health challenges in Egypt and the region.

The opening of the EMPHNET office in Egypt marks a significant strategic step in strengthening the health sector through innovative initiatives and building on past successes. These successes include contributions to national campaigns like polio eradication and national hepatitis B and C surveys, leading major health initiatives such as “100 Million Health,” supporting epidemiological surveillance systems, training healthcare workers, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. EMPHNET also supported the launch of the FETP for a One Health approach in Egypt, strengthening integrated approaches to health challenges. Its presence will facilitate the delivery of tailored FETP programs to meet Egypt’s public health needs.

EMPHNET considers training healthcare workers a core element of its vision. Through its academic and training arm, the International Academy for Public Health (IAP), it plans to launch specialized training programs to develop skills in epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and other vital areas. These efforts aim to empower healthcare professionals to effectively address current and future health challenges, strengthening Egypt’s healthcare system’s crisis response capabilities.