Egypt's '100 Million Healthy Lives' initiative screens 792,592 newborns for genetic diseases
Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population announced that 792,592 newborns have been screened for genetic diseases through the President's "100 Million Healthy Lives" initiative since its launch on July 13, 2021. The initiative aims to foster a healthy generation free from disabilities. Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry's official spokesperson, stated that the first phase focuses on detecting 19 genetic diseases in premature infants within hospital neonatal intensive care units. The second phase will expand to include comprehensive medical screening for all newborns nationwide. Screening involves a simple blood sample from the baby's heel, analyzed at the Egyptian Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Positive results lead to confirmatory testing and free treatment based on the latest scientific protocols. The initiative targets diseases such as congenital hypothyroidism, favism, and phenylketonuria. The Ministry has established 56 specialized centers across the governorates, in cooperation with the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, to provide free treatment, follow-up, and psychological support to parents. The Ministry emphasizes the initiative's role in primary healthcare and encourages citizens to use hotlines 105 and 15335 for inquiries to safeguard the health of future generations in Egypt.
