Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and acting Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar discussed with a delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) ways to activate mechanisms for reducing antimicrobial resistance. Abdel Ghaffar stressed the need to increase awareness campaigns among citizens about the dangers of excessive use of antibiotics without a prescription from a specialized doctor, as the excessive use of antibiotics reduces their ability to treat diseases. The meeting discussed ways to reduce the risks of antimicrobial resistance, through implementing effective prevention and treatment protocols as well as activating rational use of medicines and antibiotics in hospitals, to protect citizens from effects of antimicrobial resistance as one of the biggest problems threatening public health. The two sides tackled ways to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation between the Health Ministry and the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, to develop plans and prepare reports on methods and programs for treating bacterial infections. The WHO asserted the importance of forming a committee which includes the various ministries and concerned bodies with the aim of unifying efforts regarding antimicrobial use in accordance with global health recommendations. A representative of the WHO, Naima Al-Qusair, affirmed the organization's keenness to cooperate with all relevant partners to reduce antimicrobial resistance, thus contributing to achieving sustainable development goals and promoting a healthy life for citizens. The WHO asserted its support for Egypt among four countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region in order to implement plans to reduce antimicrobial resistance, praising the public health initiatives launched by Egypt during the past years, and its role in the prevention and early detection of various diseases.
