Egypt secures membership in IPU Health Committee

CAIRO – 23 April 2026: Egypt has secured membership in the Health Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), following elections held on the sidelines of the 152nd IPU Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey.

Dr. Ashraf Hatem, Egyptian pulmonologist, former Minister of Health (2011), and current Member of Parliament, led Egypt’s successful bid, winning a majority of votes from participating parliamentary delegations.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hatem received 77 votes amid strong competition, underscoring international confidence in Egyptian expertise and capabilities in the health sector.

Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar congratulated Dr. Hatem on the achievement, noting that it reflects the strong global standing of Egyptian professionals in the medical field.

He added that the win crowns Dr. Hatem’s distinguished career and extensive experience, while also reinforcing Egypt’s role in international forums. The membership is expected to create broader opportunities for knowledge exchange and support national efforts to enhance healthcare services and advance toward universal health coverage.