Egyptian president instructs increasing kidney transplants

CAIRO – 9 June 2021: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi instructed Tuesday increasing the number of kidney transplants given that the procedure is the most ideal treatment to kidney failure for it significantly improves the patients' quality of life compared to dialysis.  

That was during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed, Minister of Finance Mohamed Mait, and other officials.

The minister of health presented the status of the kidney failure treatment system in the country, including costs and the distribution of dialysis units. In that context, the president asked the minister to prepare studies necessary to introduce more kidney transplant centers. It is noted that kidney transplants are preferred to take place before dialysis for a longer life expectancy.

The meeting also tackled the position on the COVID-19 and public health. Minister Zayed noted that the number of daily cases is declining as well as the occupancy rate at quarantine hospitals.

Further, the minister presented the steps taken to produce Sinovac anti-COVID-19 vaccine locally starting this month. It's worthy to mention that the raw material was delivered to Egypt in May. Other batches will arrive later as the goal is producing 40 million doses.

The ministry completed the vaccination of all workers in the tourism sector at the Red Sea and South Sinai governorates. Equally, the president directed increasing the number of vaccination centers across the country, and developing VACSERA to produce vaccines and vials in accordance with the highest international standards.

The meeting also tapped upon the executive status of the Egyptian Center for Disease Control, which is planned to consist of an R&D center, training centers, clinics, and laboratories.

The center is designed to employ technology in identifying and combating contagious and non-contagious diseases. That includes early detection of diseases that can put public health in peril, and controlling the spread of contagious diseases. The center will also be in charge of raising awareness on public health, collecting data and preparing statistics on different diseases, and setting plans to counter risks to public health.