Egyptian Health Ministry Hosts Workshop to Equip Media with Reproductive Health facts
Cairo, September 18, 2025 – The Egyptian Ministry of Health convened a workshop today aimed at bolstering media coverage of reproductive health issues and supporting the nation’s family advancement goals, aligning with Egypt‘s Vision 2030. The initiative seeks to empower journalists with accurate information to counter misinformation and promote informed health decisions.
Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar stated the workshop addressed critical topics including family planning, spacing births, breastfeeding, and reducing unnecessary cesarean deliveries. He emphasized the need to address “rumors, false concepts and social norms that hinder the access of correct information to families, which negatively affect the health of mothers and children.”
The workshop focused on enabling the media to support Egyptian families in reducing unjustified caesarean sections, highlighting the importance of the frist 1,000 days of a mother and child’s life, and reinforcing reproductive rights grounded in scientific evidence. Abdel Ghaffar underscored the media’s “pivotal role in the formation of public awareness,” advocating for “accurate language and approved terms” in reporting.
Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Abla Al-Alfi, affirmed the state’s commitment to accurate health information dissemination and outlined the urgent population and development plan launched in January 2025. This plan utilizes 29 population indicators - encompassing health and education - to categorize governorates as “green” (above 70%), “yellow” (50-70%), and “red” (below 50%). The plan’s objective is to reduce the total reproductive rate to 2.1% by 2027.
Dr. Al-Alfi also highlighted the success of the “A Alpha Golden Day” initiative in reducing unplanned pregnancies, improving breastfeeding and safe birth practices, and providing family counseling. The initiative provides integrated care from pregnancy thru the child’s second year,aiming to ensure maternal and child health and foster strong families.
Jermin Haddad, representative of the united Nations Population Fund, confirmed the organization’s partnership with the Ministry and the National population Council to strengthen media messaging on reproductive health, particularly regarding cesarean deliveries and the meaning of the “thousand golden day.” Haddad stressed that investing in maternal and child health strengthens the overall health system and emphasized the media’s role in simplifying messages to encourage positive practices and societal well-being.