Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, witnessed the signing ceremony of a cooperation protocol between Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Health and Population. The protocol aims to enhance joint cooperation in health awareness and support national initiatives, held at the headquarters of Al-Azhar.

Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar expressed his deep appreciation for the Grand Imam, affirming that Al-Azhar is a strategic partner in building community awareness and instilling religious and humanitarian values that support the state’s efforts to protect the health of Egyptian citizens. He pointed out that this protocol represents a pioneering model of role integration between religious and health institutions to serve the nation, and a strategic step to enhance the protection of Egyptian families and spread health awareness based on scientific foundations and authentic religious values.

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, explained that the protocol focuses on organizing joint awareness campaigns in mosques, schools, community centers, and through media and social media platforms to promote the importance of early disease screening, prevention of chronic and hereditary diseases, encouraging smoking cessation, exercising, and following healthy nutrition patterns.

He added that the protocol supports national public health initiatives, such as the premarital screening initiative to detect hereditary and infectious diseases, early detection initiatives for hereditary diseases in newborns, chronic diseases, tumors, kidney disorders, hearing impairment, as well as initiatives supporting women’s and children’s health and combating malnutrition among school students.

Abdel Ghaffar pointed out that the protocol includes organizing seminars and training workshops for doctors and preachers to unify health and religious messages, and organizing joint medical convoys in governorates to provide health services supported by health education. It also includes exchanging expertise and research, issuing printed and digital awareness bulletins, and forming a joint coordinating committee to follow up on implementation and evaluate performance.

The official spokesperson confirmed that this cooperation reflects the commitment of both parties to improving the quality of life of Egyptian citizens, protecting families from hereditary and chronic diseases, and achieving sustainable development goals.

The protocol was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Population by Dr. Mohamed Hassani, Assistant Minister for Public Health Projects and Initiatives, and on behalf of Al-Azhar by Dr. Mohamed Abdel Dayem El-Gendy, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy.