The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Egypt's approach to treating and rehabilitating people with drug addiction, describing it as a leading model in the Middle East. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Hanan Balkhy visited the Imbaba Addiction Treatment Centre on Wednesday, operated by the National Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction, to review its services, which are delivered in line with international standards. Balkhy toured the facility's outpatient and inpatient wards, adolescent unit, dual-diagnosis services, sports facilities, vocational training workshops and recreational areas. She also met recovering patients and joined them for a table tennis match. The centre offers free, confidential treatment and social rehabilitation to patients, with services provided through 34 specialist centres across 19 governorates linked to a national hotline (16023). Fund Director Amr Othman said the national strategy, launched under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, targets prevention, early detection and the creation of educational and sports environments that discourage drug use. The Fund's "You Are Stronger Than Drugs" media campaign, fronted by footballer Mohamed Salah, has boosted demand for treatment by 500 per cent, according to Othman, and has won recognition from the United Nations and Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity. Balkhy urged the fund to help train and support addiction treatment professionals in other Arab states. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
