Figure of females screened for breast cancer since launching of Women Health Initiative declared

CAIRO – 10 April 2022: The Ministry of Health and Population announced on Sunday that 23,906,809 females were screened for breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity since the launching of the Women Health Initiative in July 2019.

The service is offered to females aged above 18 at 3,538 healthcare units, and 114 hospitals nationwide. As for those diagnosed with breast cancer, they can receive free of charge treatment at 14 university hospitals, and 14 centers affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Population.  

In a similar context, Member of the National Committee for Combating Hepatitis Viruses Gamal Essmat stated in a phone-in in March that some former hepatitis C patients developed liver cirrhosis, which in turn raised liver cancer cases.

That is why after Egypt carried out a nationwide campaign for the early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C, providing free treatment to all citizens in need, the focus has become following up on individuals suffering from liver cirrhosis.

The official pointed out that the early diagnosis of liver cancer makes the survival rate 90 percent. Commenting on the launching of the initiative aimed at the early diagnosis of liver cancer Sunday, Essmat explained that every four months, the liver cirrhosis patient will undergo urtlasound and blood tests so as diagnosis is made and free treatment is provided. Such treatment is in the form of hepatectomy, and thermal radiation.

With regard to children, the Ministry of Health and Population announced earlier in April that 10,837,000 students at elementary schools were screened for anemia, obesity, and stunting since the beginning of academic year 2021/2022.

The ministry noted that the target for the year is 15 million Egyptian and non-Egyptian pupils studying at 29,444 private and public elementary schools nationwide.

The screening is carried out by measuring the weight, height, and hemoglobin level in blood, so as if malnutrition is diagnosed, the medical team provides the patient with a suitable dietary plan.

In August, Minister of Education and Technical Education Tarek Shawky indicated that eight million Egyptian children suffer from anemia because of eating non-nutritious food. He added that school meals would be customized to meet the health conditions of children as those suffering from anemia or stunting would be offered different ones.