Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met on Wednesday with Sania Nishtar, CEO of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), along with Richard Mihigo, Director of Programmatic and Strategic Engagement at the African Union. The meeting focused on expanding collaborative efforts to support Egypt’s health sector and improve vaccine distribution and manufacturing in Africa.
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry of Health’s spokesperson, emphasized that the meeting provided a key opportunity to discuss sustainable vaccine provision, enhancing local manufacturing capabilities, and advancing Africa’s self-sufficiency in vaccines. The collaboration aims to improve equitable access to vaccines for all target groups, with GAVI’s continued role being instrumental in supporting vaccination programs across the continent.
Abdel Ghaffar highlighted Egypt’s significant strides in vaccination and infectious disease control, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring vaccines reach all vulnerable groups, especially children. He stressed that cooperation with GAVI would be vital for sustaining vaccine provision, improving health infrastructure, and reinforcing the role of primary health care systems, which are a cornerstone of Egypt’s health sector strategy and the nation’s efforts to meet Sustainable Development Goals.
During the meeting, Nishtar congratulated Egypt on hosting the second forum for vaccine and medical preparation manufacturing in Africa, commending the country’s advancements in health service improvements and vaccination programs. She praised Egypt’s local vaccine industry initiatives, noting that such efforts are crucial for enhancing health security both locally and regionally. Nishtar also pointed to Egypt’s strategic geographical location, positioning it as a key hub for vaccine production and distribution across the African continent.
