Dr. Abla El-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health and Population, held a meeting with Dr. Margaret Sarofim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, in the presence of leaders from both ministries, the National Population Council, and representatives from the World Food Program. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation on several joint files supporting the health and comprehensive development of Egyptian citizens.

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, confirmed that the meeting focused on enhancing cooperation in the national program for the prevention of stunting and malnutrition, with an emphasis on supporting children during the first 1,000 days within the “Takaful and Karama” program.

The meeting also discussed expanding the provision of micronutrient supplements (MMS) and intensifying awareness about the importance of proper nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Abdel Ghaffar added that the meeting addressed strategies for women’s economic empowerment through the “Ezra” initiative, which connects small farmers with social protection programs via agricultural, animal, and poultry projects to improve family food security. It was also agreed to establish a unified database linking the Ministries of Health and Social Solidarity, the “Ezra” initiative, and the Golden 1,000 Days program, with pilot implementation starting in the governorates of Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, and Qena.

He pointed out discussions on unifying the premarital counseling curriculum in cooperation with the Ministries of Endowments and the Church to ensure unified awareness messages about pregnancy readiness, birth spacing, and services for those about to marry. It was also agreed to activate a joint protocol to manage family development centers, expand their services, and enhance the role of health and social pioneers through unified training programs.

Regarding school nutrition, plans to expand the provision of hot meals to students were reviewed, benefiting from the successful Brazilian experience. Both sides agreed to prepare two strategic documents: the first for the Golden 1,000 Days program, and the second titled “Comprehensive Nutrition Approach Across Life Stages” to meet nutritional needs from pre-marriage to beyond age 65.

Abdel Ghaffar concluded by mentioning discussions on supporting areas with low population indicators through NGOs, alongside preparations to launch the “Egyptian Nutrition Month” annually in October, focusing on issues of stunting, obesity, anemia, and rationalizing sugar consumption, in cooperation with all concerned parties.