CAIRO - 22 June 2026: Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, witnessed Monday, the official launch of the Presidential Initiative for the Care of Children with Diabetes, as part of the package of presidential initiatives in the field of public health under the slogan “100 Million Healthy Lives.”
The Minister pointed to the unlimited support provided by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to the health sector and to presidential initiatives, especially the initiative for the care of children with diabetes, stressing that the directives were decisive in providing all necessary means of support to the beneficiary children and ensuring the sustainability of the services provided to them.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that type 1 diabetes represents one of the health challenges that directly affect the lives of children and their families, noting that approximately 55,000 children in Egypt, aged from birth to 18 years, suffer from the disease, and the resulting health, psychological, and social burdens on the children and their families.
Providing Modern Continuous Blood Sugar Monitoring Devices
The Minister of Health and Population pointed out that the initiative contributes to alleviating the suffering of children by providing modern continuous blood sugar monitoring devices, which spare children more than 3,650 finger pricks annually, at a rate of 8 to 10 pricks per day.
This positively impacts their quality of life and gives them a greater opportunity to enjoy their childhood normally. He noted that the initial results of the initiative have shown a tangible improvement in the health indicators of the beneficiary children.
The Minister added that the success of the initiative reflects the importance of teamwork and the integration of roles among the various partner and supporting entities. He expressed his gratitude to all the partners in success, including state institutions, the banking sector, international organizations, and civil society.
The Minister also expressed his appreciation to all the partners in success and supporters of the initiative, emphasizing that the care of children with type 1 diabetes has become a top priority in working with community partners. The initiative represents a milestone in the journey of supporting and caring for children in Egypt.
For his part, Dr. Naema Abed, the World Health Organization representative in Egypt, affirmed that the initiative represents a milestone in the journey of supporting and caring for children in Egypt, emphasizing that children's health is a top health and development priority.
She also pointed out that type 1 diabetes is not merely a chronic condition, but requires a comprehensive and sustainable system of care, support, and lifelong monitoring.
Dr. Mona Khalifa, Director General of the General Administration for Initiatives, reviewed the initiative's initial results, explaining that 143 children were enrolled, including 47 who completed the three-month follow-up period. She noted a decrease in the emergency room visit rate from 1.11 to 0.08 visits per child annually, and a decrease in hospital admissions from 0.70 to 0.08 cases. She emphasized the aspiration to gradually expand the initiative to include eight specialized centers nationwide by the end of 2027.
In her remarks, Ghada Tawfik, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt for Social Responsibility, affirmed that this collaboration represents a true model of integration between state institutions and the banking sector. She pointed out that the Central Bank places great importance on supporting the health sector, believing that economic development is inseparable from human development.
Professor Amr El Ganainy, Executive Vice President and Board Member of the Commercial International Bank (CIB), noted that this initiative represents a significant step in developing the healthcare system for children with type 1 diabetes. He emphasized that true investment begins with people, and that individual health is the foundation for building more resilient and stable societies.
For her part, Soha El Turki, Executive Vice President of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), stated that NBE prioritizes the healthcare sector as a cornerstone of development. She expressed the bank's pride in participating in the first phase of the initiative, stemming from its commitment to social responsibility.
Hossam Abdel Aal, Assistant Managing Director and Head of Corporate Finance and Syndicated Loans at United Bank, added that the bank acts as a national partner in supporting human development efforts, highlighting its contribution to implementing more than 22 health initiatives targeting vulnerable groups.
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