AGP Executive Report

Sudan Crisis & Public Health: Returnees to Khartoum are leaving again as chronic shortages of power, water, jobs and medicine make daily life unsafe, with families citing the lack of medical care as a key reason to flee back to Egypt or the UAE. Gaza Health Toll: Gaza’s health ministry says deaths have surpassed 74,000 since the war began, with 1,145 killed since the ceasefire, while access to health services remains severely constrained. Digital Health in Egypt: President el-Sisi urged Orange to expand investment and join the second phase of Egypt’s national digital health project, linking it to cloud, cybersecurity, and AI training for young Egyptians. Workforce & Tech Training: Orange also announced training grants for about 200,000 Egyptians in AI and cybersecurity, plus EUR 25m for AI and advanced-tech startups. Ebola Watch (DRC): A major Ebola outbreak in the DRC is driving urgent vaccine development, with CEPI pushing new funding to speed up candidate readiness. Wellness & Food: A feature highlights ancient recipes and nutrition roots, while another story spotlights Egypt’s green push and tree preservation as part of healthier urban living.

Pandemic Preparedness: Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar told UNGA that pandemic readiness must mean resilient health systems that keep routine care running during crises, including vaccination, maternal/child health, chronic disease treatment, mental health, cancer care and palliative services. Health & Safety Abroad: A British family says a 12-year-old fell seriously ill with salmonella after a holiday at a luxury five-star resort in Sharm El-Sheikh, reporting IV treatment for dehydration and ongoing legal action. Investment & Health Sector Capacity: Egypt’s Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said reforms include a new Economic Entities Platform to streamline company licensing and approvals, plus plans for new investment zones and ready-to-implement opportunities in health among other sectors. Workforce & Women’s Employment: A report from 15th May City highlights educated young women struggling to find stable work, pointing to social expectations and limited job options. Sports Medicine (Egypt Team): Egypt’s technical staff left Nice defender Mohamed Abdelmonem out of the AFCON 2027 qualifier squad due to a medical warning after cruciate ligament surgery, and rested Mohamed Salah ahead of an artificial-turf match.

Pandemic Preparedness: Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar says pandemic readiness must start with resilient health systems that keep routine care running during crises, including vaccination, maternal and child health, NCD treatment, mental health, cancer care and palliative services. Investment & Health Sector Readiness: Egypt’s Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid met S&P Global Ratings and outlined reforms to simplify business procedures, launch an Economic Entities Platform for licensing and approvals, expand investment zones, and prepare ready-to-implement opportunities in sectors including health. Gaza Food Aid: The UAE’s Ahmed Bin Rashid Humanitarian Bridge event prepared over 10 million meals for Gaza, highlighting large-scale volunteer-driven support. Maternal & Child Health (Local): A report highlights a rural Fayoum “Eco Classroom” built from 9,000 reused plastic bottles to improve access to safer schooling for children—an indirect boost to long-term child wellbeing. Oral Health Prevention: Kuwait’s health leadership stressed early prevention and treatment for children’s oral health, citing high rates of untreated dental caries in primary teeth.

Eco Education & Waste: In Fayoum’s Ezbet Eshaq, a new “Eco Classroom” lets children stop walking over 2 km to school, built from 9,000 reused plastic bottles packed with sand plus local reclaimed materials—tackling both access to learning and rising solid waste. UN Gaza Humanitarian Focus: Egypt’s PM told the UN General Assembly that the Palestinian issue shows “dysfunction” in the international system, urging a Gaza ceasefire, an end to violations, aid access, and recovery tied to a political process—not a prolonged crisis. Health Research—Antiparasitic Lead: Zagazig University researchers report a new synthetic compound targeting Trichinella spiralis, aiming to expand options beyond older drugs like albendazole and mebendazole. Health Research—Liver Protection from Arsenic: A study highlights a nanotech-encapsulated herbal compound (puerarin) that may help shield rat livers from arsenic damage, pointing to safer delivery challenges. Women’s Skin Care Review: A narrative review compares oral vs topical spironolactone approaches for adult female acne, focusing on effectiveness and treatment strategy.

UAE Humanitarian Care in Egypt: The UAE Floating Hospital in Al-Arish fitted prosthetic limbs for 42 Palestinian amputees, bringing “Step of Hope” beneficiaries to 198 under Operation “The Noble Knight 3,” with medical assessment, manufacturing, fitting, therapy and follow-up supported by seven Emirati charities. Special Olympics in Cairo: Special Olympics UAE wrapped up the 10th MENA Regional Games in Cairo with 54 medals (21 gold, 17 silver, 16 bronze) across rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, powerlifting and equestrian, with athletes backed by medical and support teams. Egypt Health Leadership Spotlight: Coverage highlights Egypt’s health minister Prof. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar appearing at a Project Legacy UN-week gala alongside WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, underscoring international health and development cooperation. Maternal Health Signal: A report says C-section rates in Egypt have risen to 79.3% while birth rates decline, raising questions for clinicians and policymakers about delivery practices. Diabetes Self-Care Research: A study reviews adherence to diabetes self-management across demographics and clinical characteristics among type 2 diabetes patients, focusing on diet, exercise, medication and monitoring. Endometriosis Diagnosis Pathway: A narrative review argues diagnostic pathways haven’t clearly shortened delays and calls for co-designed, evaluated routes that link diagnosis to a safe, agreed care plan.

Maternal Health Watch: Egypt’s 2025 Family Health Survey prelims show C-sections hitting 79.3% of births (up from 72.1% in 2021) while fertility falls to 2.33 children per woman; child health is mixed with infant mortality at 25 per 1,000, anaemia at 39.6%, and vaccination coverage slipping to 85.9%. Women, Peace, and Health Security: A new analysis warns that excluding women from peacemaking is reversing UN progress and could undermine long-term recovery—an issue that directly affects health outcomes in conflict zones. Post-Surgery Pain & Vitamin D: Research from Fayoum University Hospital links low vitamin D intake with higher pain after breast cancer surgery, pointing to possible immune and inflammation pathways. Gaza Care Under Pressure: Reports highlight UNRWA’s role in Gaza’s public health, with thousands of daily medical appointments and water/waste services—while political plans threaten to sideline the agency. Humanitarian Safety: Indonesia calls for stronger protection of humanitarian and healthcare workers in conflict zones, citing attacks and losses including in Gaza. Drug Case in Egypt: An Egyptian court sentenced TV presenter Sarah Khalifa and others to death over a major narcotics manufacturing and trafficking case, with additional life terms for co-defendants.

Gaza Humanitarian Access: Egypt’s FM Badr Abdelatty urged “sustained and unhindered” aid access to Gaza and the start of early recovery, stressing healthcare and livelihoods alongside UNRWA’s central role. Public Health in Crisis: Qatar pushed for the Gaza peace plan’s second phase without delay, warning the enclave’s economy has collapsed on record and highlighting healthcare support including rehabilitation and prosthetics services. Stabilization Force Plans: Morocco is set to join the first wave of a Gaza International Stabilization Force, with a 500-troop advance and a new Gaza police force—though training has stalled over access to Egypt. Medical Care Under Pressure: UN and diplomatic remarks repeatedly flagged obstruction of vital medical supplies and children waiting for care. Health Policy & Care Delivery: Egypt’s social solidarity ministry is accelerating digital transformation to speed services for vulnerable groups. Freedom of Thought Case: Egypt’s novelist Peter Tawfik Kamal remains detained as rights groups warn against using criminal proceedings to punish peaceful expression. Medical Accountability: A UK vascular surgeon was suspended for nine months after antisemitic social media posts.

Plastic Pollution Costs: A new Greenpeace MENA report says plastic pollution is draining Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia between $1.7bn and $5.5bn a year, with a projected $30bn–$98bn cumulative hit by 2040 if trends continue. Family Health Update: CAPMAS released preliminary results from the Egyptian Family Health Survey 2025 showing fertility fell to 2.33 children per woman (from 2.85), alongside tracking women’s and children’s health, nutrition, and family-planning use. Weight-loss Treatment Adherence: Ulster University research highlights why many people stop injectable GLP-1 weight-loss medicines within a year—cost/insurance barriers and gastrointestinal side effects are key drivers—raising the stakes for patient support. Health & Trade Link: Egypt’s exports to Iraq rose to about $122m in Q2 2026, including pharmaceuticals (about $5.7m) and hygiene products, underscoring health-related supply flows. Gaza Care Constraints: Reuters reports Israeli strikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza, while medical evacuations and treatment access remain disrupted, adding pressure to already strained care systems.

Gaza Health Crisis: Israeli airstrikes killed at least four Palestinians in Gaza, with Israel saying one attack targeted a Hamas finance chief, as local medics reported deaths and injuries amid ongoing strikes and a stalled ceasefire. US Visa Disruption: The U.S. Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery winners face a legal fight after the State Department paused processing, with courts ordering action and lawyers accusing the administration of slow-walking cases before the Sept. 30 deadline. Egypt-Africa Trade Push: Egypt’s investment and trade ministry says it wants more Egyptian company investment across Africa, not just exports, with a forum bringing together officials and financiers from multiple countries. Industrial Land for Investors: Egypt’s Industrial Development Authority allocated over 300,000 sqm of serviced industrial land under a rent-to-own scheme across eight zones, aiming to cut upfront costs and speed project starts. Medical AI Access: Anthropic and OpenEvidence plan to offer free clinical AI search tools to doctors in about 100 low- and middle-income countries to help with access to medical research and guidelines. Healthcare Tech Supply Chain: GlobalData reports European CDMOs are boosting active pharmaceutical ingredient capacity to meet demand for advanced therapies and reduce supply-chain risk. Tourism With a Health Angle: Saint Catherine in Egypt welcomed 350 tourists from seven countries, including visitors exploring religious sites and Mount Moses, with local tours also highlighting traditional herbal medicine.

Humanitarian Aid in Focus: Egypt’s Red Crescent sent its 281st “Zad Al-Ezza… From Egypt to Gaza” convoy, delivering 131,000 food baskets plus flour, relief supplies, medical items and fuel for hospitals—part of a drive that has now topped one million tons of aid with 75,000+ volunteers. Gaza Health Under Pressure: Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis killed at least two Palestinians and wounded two others, as Gaza’s health system continues to face deadly disruption amid ongoing attacks. AI for Care Access: Anthropic and OpenEvidence launched an AI-powered clinical decision support version for clinicians in about 100 low- and middle-income countries, aiming to reduce gaps in medical knowledge access. Egypt Water Security: Egypt prepares for Cairo Water Week (Oct 25–29) to tackle rising demand versus limited supply, with plans spanning water governance, food production, climate resilience and financing. Local Health Charity: Sharjah Charity International reported 34 child heart procedures in Egypt under its “Little Hearts” campaign, alongside food and school support for thousands. Tech & Health Ecosystem: NVIDIA held an AI ecosystem reception in Cairo with RiseUp, highlighting Egypt’s startup momentum and partnerships to support local AI applications.

AI for clinicians: Anthropic and OpenEvidence are partnering to roll out AI-powered clinical decision support to doctors in about 100 countries, including low- and middle-income regions, aiming to improve access to medical research and guidelines. Egypt’s AI push: NVIDIA held an AI ecosystem reception in Cairo with RiseUp, highlighting Egypt’s startup momentum and a planned partnership with ITIDA to support local AI applications. Child obesity focus: Novo Nordisk and UNICEF expanded a program to prevent childhood overweight and obesity, adding funding that includes Egypt, with nutrition/physical activity counselling and basic mental health screening. Local health & wellness: A Cairo-linked recipe trend spotlights honey-glazed sweet potatoes and squash with chili and halloumi, tying everyday cooking to healthier meal choices. Humanitarian health: In Yemen’s Mokha, fighting has shut many healthcare facilities, leaving Mokha General Hospital to run essential services like NICU care and urgent maternal treatment. Public health education: Abu Dhabi students created tobacco and nicotine awareness content through a youth-led initiative reaching thousands of learners. Heat safety: A Hurghada tennis event saw a line judge collapse from extreme heat and humidity, underscoring rising heat risks for medical staff and officials.

Kidney Care Push: Egypt’s Health Ministry plans to expand the living kidney donor pool by up to 50%, including paired kidney exchanges and updated protocols for incompatible donor-recipient matches, aiming to cut transplant waiting times. Antibiotic Alarm: A new report warns the ICU is running out of antibiotic options as antimicrobial resistance spreads, especially in critical care settings. Gaza Treatment Blocked: Israel again halted patient evacuations from Gaza for treatment abroad, cutting access to care in Egypt and raising urgent health risks for hundreds of patients. Ebola Vaccine Race (DRC): With Congo facing an unprecedented Ebola outbreak and no approved vaccine for the virus species, developers are moving toward a candidate for human trials. Nutrition Talk: Dietitians compare honey vs agave, warning that some sweeteners can be a trap and urging smarter choices. Public Health in Conflict: The UN says over 5 million displaced Sudanese have returned home, but damaged clinics and schools mean health needs remain critical. Food Trade Shift: Russia’s food and fisheries events highlight a growing trade network linking Russia with China, India, Africa and the Gulf.

Health System Upgrade: Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met the World Bank to align on new health-sector partnerships, including support for the Universal Health Insurance System, hospital and health-unit infrastructure, and integrating university hospitals, with a focus on local manufacturing of medicines and medical supplies. Diplomacy for Care: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva, highlighting cooperation in priority sectors led by health, plus transport, infrastructure, and digital transformation. Medical Tourism Push: Luxor is positioned as a key hub in Egypt’s drive to expand healthcare tourism, with new online services aimed at making it easier for international patients to access care. Gaza Eye Care Story: Egyptian ophthalmologist Dr. Mohammad Tawfiq returned to Gaza for a second time to help restore sight amid severe shortages and damaged facilities. Universal Coverage Lessons: India and Egypt discussed deeper cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, alongside traditional medicine, hospital management, and capacity building. Children Online Safety: Egypt announced a new approach to social media for children—no independent accounts under 13, and Safe Mode for ages 13 to under 15—while requiring age checks and limiting data collected.

Cancer Care Expansion: Egypt’s Health Ministry says it’s preparing three new bone marrow transplant units under its 2026/27 plan, alongside 35 healthcare projects across 13 governorates, aiming to cut waiting lists and expand specialized treatment capacity. Surgeon Death: A senior Egyptian general surgeon, Dr Adel Abdelaziz Shaheen of Al Obour Hospital, died after a sudden cardiac arrest during surgery; his assistant completed the operation and he later spent 15 days in intensive care. Medical Innovation: AIIMS researchers highlight “Ray’s triangle” as a high-risk area during complex abdominal cancer surgery, stressing full liver mobilization to find hidden deposits and improve outcomes. Maternal & Neonatal Support Appeal: A family in Ras Al Khaimah is seeking help after premature twin boys required intensive care and urgent surgery, with bills reported at about Dhs478,571. Wellness Trend Check: Apple cider vinegar continues to be promoted for health benefits, but coverage notes the debate around natural remedies and the lack of strong clinical studies for many uses. Climate & Health Risk: El Niño is expected to strengthen through early 2027, raising concerns for Egypt over heat, electricity demand, water stress, and impacts on agriculture.

Gaza Health Crisis: Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza, including Basir al-Bursh, son of the Gaza Health Ministry director-general, as medics and civil defence reported more deaths and injuries across multiple areas. Medical Access Under Fire: Reports say Israel reduced the number of Gaza patients allowed to leave for treatment in Egypt, tightening medical evacuation routes. Public Health & Wellness: A new wellness spotlight highlights nutmeg’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, while another diet brief points to antioxidant-rich spices like cloves, ginger, oregano and turmeric as supportive additions to everyday meals. Egypt–Community Support: Egypt’s ambassador to Tunisia met Egyptian citizens to review welfare and follow up on residency, visas, trade and flight connectivity. Sports & Youth Health: University of Ghana returned from Cairo’s FASU Games with 23 medals, with officials urging more investment in university sports infrastructure and athlete development. Regional Health Security: Saudi confirmed a Houthi ballistic missile attempt on Riyadh and attacks on Red Sea infrastructure, raising concerns for regional stability that can spill into healthcare planning.

Gaza Health Crisis: Israeli strikes killed at least three Palestinians, including Basir Al-Bursh near Jabalia, as medics reported more deaths across Gaza City and Shejaia—another grim reminder of the pressure on hospitals and emergency services. Gaza Collapse Aftermath: Reports also highlight ongoing rescue efforts after war-damaged buildings collapsed, with children among the dead and missing, raising urgent concerns about shelter safety and medical access. Egypt Health Policy: Egypt’s government is moving to finalize its National Economic Transformation Programme, with Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar among officials reviewing targets—an indirect but important signal for future health funding and services. Clinical Research Capacity: A new study focuses on clinical trials training and pharmacist roles in places like Sudan, pointing to gaps in trial readiness that can affect future treatment availability. Wellness Spotlight: Dietitians highlight antioxidant-rich spices—cloves, ginger, oregano and turmeric—encouraging culinary use over high-dose supplements. Sports & Health Link: Saudi and Egyptian rowing federations signed a cooperation deal to boost youth athlete development, supporting long-term wellness through structured training.