Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said that Egypt had never engaged in conflicts with its African neighbours to increase its share of water, but rather worked to maximize its resources.
“Egypt will be the first or second country in the world to benefit from water treatment and desalination,” he said.
During his speech at the African Medical Conference, Al-Sisi explained that Egypt’s share of water is 55 billion cubic meters, and it has not changed since Egypt’s population used to be 3-4 million people. Egypt’s population currently exceeds 100 million.
The president announced the launch of an Egyptian initiative to provide 30 million doses of vaccines against the Coronavirus to African countries, in coordination with the African Union.
He pointed out that eliminating the Hepatitis C virus was an obsession and something he had been thinking about deeply for years. He continued, “I express my appreciation for those who helped and contributed to discovering the treatment of Hepatitis C, and it must be noted here that the lack of resources does not represent an obstacle to achieving goals and desires.”
President Al-Sisi stated that the problem always lies in the lack of resources and the scarcity of allocated funds, referring to Egypt’s experience in providing a medical service with international standards for 100 million citizens, and despite our limited economic capabilities, “we provided a distinguished medical service in what this word means.”
“The lack of capabilities did not discourage us, as there is no obstacle or challenge that stands in the way of an unyielding will in order to overcome this challenge,” he said.
He continued: “Many issues were resolved with initiatives, such as the “100 Million Health” initiative and the “Hepatits C virus” initiative, all of which were targeting specific challenges when they are overcome that put us in another area, along with waiting lists that do not include ordinary medical treatment but a huge medical treatment. It includes major surgeries in the brain, nerves, heart and joints.”
President Al-Sisi noted that Egypt aims to complete the comprehensive medical insurance system within 10 years instead of what was estimated before (15 years) to provide a distinguished medical service to citizens and not postpone this important matter, stressing that the system has been launched and implemented in five governorates so far.
