June 23, 2026
- Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy: The "Golden 1,000 Days" Initiative reflects the State's commitment to investing in human development from the earliest stages of life.
- Professor Abla El-Alfy: Assiut University is a key partner in implementing the "Golden 1,000 Days" Initiative and advancing population development goals.
- Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy: The University is mobilizing its scientific, academic, and medical expertise to support the implementation of the "Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" Initiative and the National Population and Development Strategy.
Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, chaired a coordination meeting on Tuesday, June 23, in the University Council Hall with Professor Abla El-Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Population for Population and Family Development. The meeting was held within the framework of implementing the cooperation protocol recently signed between Assiut University and the Ministry of Health and Population to activate the Presidential Initiative "The Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" and support the implementation of the National Population and Development Strategy.
The meeting focused on discussing mechanisms for implementing the provisions of the cooperation protocol and developing an action plan to activate the Presidential Initiative across the University, its hospitals, and relevant faculties. The initiative aims to support the State's efforts to improve the health of the Egyptian family and enhance population characteristics as part of the second phase of the National Population and Development Strategy.
Discussions also explored ways to leverage Assiut University's scientific, academic, and medical capabilities to enhance community awareness of maternal and child health and family development, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt's vision for human development.
The meeting was attended by Professor Mohamed Adawy, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Professor Alaa Attia, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the University Hospitals Board; Professor Mohamed Gamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health in Assiut; Professor Fatma Roshdy, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing; and Professor Rehab El-Dakhly, Media Advisor to the University President. Also in attendance were a number of the University's academic and medical leaders, including Professor Ahmed Ibrahim, Director of the University Women's Health Hospital; Professor Yasser Farouk, Director of the University Children's Hospital; Professor Mohamed Mahmoud Fathallah, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Professor Gamal Askar, Head of the Department of Pediatrics.
At the outset of the meeting, Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy welcomed the delegation from the Ministry of Health and Population, emphasizing that the meeting builds upon the ongoing cooperation between the two institutions following the signing of the cooperation protocol for implementing the "Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" initiative and the National Population and Development Strategy. He expressed his hope that these joint efforts would contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving citizens' quality of life.
The University President also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Population and the National Population Council in implementing the National Population and Development Strategy and its associated initiatives aimed at improving family health and population characteristics. He highlighted the "Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" initiative, launched by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on August 22, 2023, as a clear demonstration of the State's commitment to investing in human development from the earliest stages of life.
Professor El-Minshawy praised the Egyptian State's vision under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which places people at the center of national development and prioritizes building human capacities from early childhood. He noted that the initiative translates this vision into practice by focusing on the first 1,000 days of life, a critical period for shaping a child's physical, mental, and psychological development.
The University President also extended his sincere appreciation to Professor Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, in recognition of his continued support for national initiatives aimed at investing in human development and improving family health.
Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy stressed that the success of the "Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" initiative depends on effective integration among multiple disciplines. He explained that the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector contributes by promoting awareness and strengthening community partnerships, while the University's medical and scientific faculties provide specialized expertise in maternal and child healthcare. He also highlighted the vital role of nursing professionals in engaging directly with families, as well as the important contribution of the media in effectively disseminating health awareness messages.
He reaffirmed Assiut University's full readiness to dedicate its scientific, academic, and medical expertise to implementing the objectives of the cooperation protocol, supporting the State's efforts to advance the National Population and Development Strategy, and contributing to the success of the current phase of the "Golden 1,000 Days" initiative in line with the goals of Egypt's New Republic to build healthier, more informed, and more stable Egyptian families.
For her part, Professor Abla El-Alfy praised Assiut University's developmental and community role, emphasizing that Egyptian universities are strategic partners in supporting the State's efforts to improve population characteristics and promote health awareness across all segments of society.
The meeting included extensive discussions on the practical mechanisms for implementing the "Golden 1,000 Days for the Development of the Egyptian Family" initiative, activating the provisions of the cooperation protocol, and strengthening the University's contribution to community awareness efforts. Participants also discussed enhancing cooperation among the University's faculties, sectors, and relevant healthcare institutions to ensure the integrated implementation of the initiative and improve health and population indicators.
Participants further emphasized the pivotal role of media institutions in supporting the National Population and Development Strategy by disseminating health messages, correcting misconceptions, and raising awareness of maternal and child health and family development. They also stressed the importance of involving nursing students in community outreach activities and providing health counseling to families and women regarding family planning methods.
Professor Abla El-Alfy also reviewed a number of population and health indicators related to Assiut Governorate, emphasizing the need to intensify medical and awareness efforts to reduce unnecessary cesarean deliveries. She also called for strengthening cooperation with Assiut University by drawing upon the expertise of its faculty members and healthcare professionals to provide technical support and promote evidence-based clinical practices that improve maternal and child health indicators and advance the objectives of the National Population and Development Strategy.
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Health and Population that included Mr. Ahmed Khairy, Assistant Deputy Minister for Operations; Mr. Mohamed Mokhtar, Director of the Deputy Minister's Office; Professor Mervat Fouad, Head of the Central Administration for Family Development; and Professor Samir El-Demiry, Head of the Central Administration for Primary Healthcare. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Hosny Ragab, Director of Public Relations and Family Planning Media Coordinator at the Assiut Directorate of Health.
