The Egypt Healthcare Authority inaugurated the second annual Cardiac Excellence Conference on Wednesday, under the patronage of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. The event coincided with World Heart Day and brought together leading cardiologists, consultants, and international experts. Senior officials in attendance included Deputy Health Minister Amr Kandil; Ahmed Taha, head of the Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation Authority; Tarek El-Houby, chairman of the National Food Safety Authority; Mohamed Lotfy, president of the Egyptian Health Council; and Hazem Khamees, conference chair and head of cardiology at the authority's hospitals. Kandil highlighted that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of deaths in Egypt, with cardiovascular conditions responsible for 44%. He stressed the importance of prevention through healthier lifestyles and recalled Egypt's landmark achievement in eliminating hepatitis C, making it the first country to receive the WHO "gold framework" certification. Ahmed El-Sobky, chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare, noted that cardiovascular diseases remain the world's leading cause of death. While last year's conference focused on treatment and complex cases, this year's edition emphasises prevention, which WHO estimates could avert up to 82% of cases. He also announced plans to establish seven new cardiac excellence centres under the second phase of Egypt's universal health insurance rollout, including four in Minya and additional centres in Matrouh, Damietta, and Kafr El-Sheikh. El-Sobky commended the private sector's role in supporting prevention and treatment services in line with international standards. Ahmed Taha underscored the need for an integrated health system combining early detection, safe working environments, and quality care. He announced the launch of a unified national CPR framework and the implementation of the "Blue Code" system to improve hospital emergency responses and save lives. Jehan El-Murr, Chairperson and Managing Director of Novartis Egypt, reaffirmed the company's commitment to combating cardiovascular diseases. "We believe we can change patient outcomes and save millions of lives through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision," she said. The conference serves as a comprehensive scientific platform featuring lectures, workshops, interactive sessions, and live demonstrations. It also included a ceremony honouring cardiology specialists for their contributions to advancing the field.
