Dr. Amr Kandil, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, stated that heart diseases are the leading cause of death in Egypt and worldwide, responsible for more than 17 million deaths annually worldwide, according to World Health Organization reports.

This was announced during the second annual heart diseases conference organized by the General Authority for Healthcare, held under the patronage of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, aiming to enhance excellence in heart disease care and treatment.

Dr. Kandil explained that the main risk factors causing heart diseases include high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity.

He pointed out that Egypt, which achieved global success in eliminating hepatitis C and received the gold framework from the World Health Organization, now seeks to replicate this pioneering experience in combating heart diseases.

Kandil highlighted that this strategy relies on launching early screening campaigns and intensive preventive programs to reduce the spread of these diseases.