The Ministry of Health and Population announced that Egypt has been elected to represent the Eastern Mediterranean Region for a three-year term (2027–2029) on the Policy and Coordination Committee of the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, during the 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, nominated Dr. Abla El-Alfi, Deputy Minister, to represent Egypt on the committee. Egypt’s nomination received the support of regional countries, reflecting its leading role and strong commitment to maternal, child and newborn health, reproductive health, family planning, and research and development in fertility regulation and human reproduction technologies.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s official spokesperson, explained that the programme is the primary United Nations mechanism for promoting, supporting, and coordinating international research and development efforts in human reproduction technologies and family planning. It is jointly sponsored by five leading international organizations: the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank.
He added that this achievement reflects the strong international and regional confidence in Egypt’s national health policies and programmes, which place the health of Egyptian families and human reproduction among their top priorities, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage.
The official spokesperson emphasized that, during its membership term (2027–2029), Egypt will seek to share its expertise and coordinate regional perspectives to strengthen the capacities of countries across the region in training, scientific research, and the development of safe and effective reproductive health solutions that meet the aspirations and needs of the region’s populations.
The Policy and Coordination Committee performs key leadership functions, including reviewing and approving plans for implementing the Special Programme’s activities, adopting work plans and budgets for upcoming financial periods, reviewing annual financial statements and audit reports, approving funding arrangements and long-term plans and their financial implications, and assessing progress toward global research and training objectives in reproductive health.
🖋️Source: The National Media Authority online portal
