Egypt's Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar received a certificate from the Guinness Book of Records for recording the largest gathering to educate 523 children living with diabetes type 1. Abdel Ghaffar said, on Monday, that the Egyptian state has taken several steps in an effort to reduce the number of people with diabetes, foremost of which is the launch of the president of the republic's initiative to follow up and treat chronic diseases and early detection of kidney disease, under the slogan (100 million health). The minister stressed that Egypt is adopting a strategic plan to support and raise the efficiency of health systems, and improve medical services provided to citizens to raise community immunity. He emphasised that the coming period will witness cooperation in the field of scientific research to identify the genetic makeup of Egyptian society and study its behaviour to determine the causes leading to diabetes. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, stated that the ministry, represented by the General Authority for Health Insurance, assumes the responsibility of addressing and combating chronic diseases, especially those associated with diabetes, to reduce the burden on patients and societies. He explained that the health insurance umbrella covers nearly 10 million people with diabetes. Abdel Ghaffar added that there is a package of advanced services that are provided to diabetics, where attention and focus are placed on awareness and health education programmes for patients and their families. It also includes programmes for continuous measurements and follow-up, through closed-circuit television and posters in clinics, in addition to health education programs for school students. He also pointed out that the ministry pays great attention to developing integrated healthcare services in accordance with the latest international protocols for those with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2), among the elderly and children. The Egyptian Health Ministry spokesperson pointed out that 50,000 children have been registered within the health care program for children with diabetes for EGP 615m. Egypt has established 30 model centres for diabetic children to provide awareness, diagnosis and treatment services. These centres include all specialities related to diabetes such as "ophthalmology, orthopaedics, surgery, kidneys" in addition to nutritionists to reduce complications, in addition to providing educational services, health, and psychological support.
