Egypt has renewed its international certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirming the country's elimination of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) for the second consecutive year, as per a Health Ministry statement on Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the milestone reflects Egypt's sustained efforts in disease prevention through high vaccination rates, a strong disease surveillance system, and public awareness campaigns. "The success of Egypt's immunisation and surveillance systems has played a crucial role in protecting public health and reducing disease burden," Abdel Ghaffar said, adding that the achievement supports the country's Vision 2030 and commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The announcement follows a review by the WHO Regional Verification Commission, which met last week in Cairo to assess elimination progress in six Eastern Mediterranean countries, including Egypt, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. WHO experts praised Egypt's immunisation programme as one of the strongest in the region and commended its rapid response mechanisms to contain any detected case. The Commission unanimously endorsed Egypt's continued measles and rubella-free status. The Ministry noted that the certification came after a successful field evaluation by international experts who visited several Egyptian governorates, assessing vaccination coverage, epidemiological surveillance, and response protocols. "The visit confirmed the strength of Egypt's health systems and its ability to maintain disease elimination status through strict preventive measures," said Amr Qandil, Deputy Health Minister. Egypt's expanded immunisation programme, launched in 1984, has contributed to major reductions in child mortality and the eradication of diseases such as polio, malaria, and hepatitis B among children under five. Routine vaccinations are provided free of charge to all children living in Egypt, regardless of nationality or legal residency status, Qandil noted. The Ministry also carries out outreach campaigns in remote areas and conducts regular public health education initiatives. Radi Hammad, head of Preventive Medicine, said Egypt's public health infrastructure includes surveillance for 55 communicable diseases and is supported by certified national labs and a robust case referral system to ensure timely treatment. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
