Bayer Middle East and the Egyptian Ministry of Health Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Support Presidential Efforts in Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer in Egypt
* The Ministry of Health and Population has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bayer, a global leader in healthcare and nutrition.
* The memorandum aims to support presidential efforts to enhance early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in Egypt.
* The conference emphasized the importance of raising awareness about early screening and the role of public-private partnerships in improving the health of the Egyptian community.
Cairo, Egypt, 22/10/2024 – Bayer has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of Egypt, under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt, the Ministry of Health and Population, and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, to support presidential efforts to promote early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in Egypt. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance public health and is aligned with Bayer’s vision of “Health for All, Hunger for None.”
The announcement of the partnership came during a press conference held today in the New Administrative Capital, attended by several prominent figures. The conference highlighted the importance of raising awareness about early screening and the role of the partnership between the public and private sectors in improving the health of the Egyptian community.
Hugo Hagen, Bayer’s Senior Bayer Representative in the Middle East and Country Division Head Bayer Pharmaceuticals Middle East & North Africa, emphasized: “The memorandum aims to enhance collaboration between the two parties to support early detection of prostate cancer, provide necessary medications for patients according to agreed treatment protocols, and train medical teams to improve the quality of services provided, as well as support awareness activities for early cancer detection. It’s crucial to raise community awareness regarding early screening for prostate cancer and its impact on improving treatment opportunities. The partnership between the private and public sectors is of great significance, and I appreciate Egypt’s efforts in enhancing early diagnosis and combating cancer diseases.”
Dr. Samer Lezzaiq, Vice President & Head of Bayer’s Global Health Unit (GHU), added: “This prostate cancer early detection initiative in Egypt exemplifies our ongoing collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. It builds upon years of strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing healthcare as a cornerstone for societal sustainability and economic growth. The project underscores the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases and supporting low- and middle-income countries in their healthcare efforts. Egypt stands as a pioneering model in viewing health as an investment and a key driver of national prosperity. We’re proud to see Egypt now sharing its successful experiences, particularly those stemming from presidential initiatives, with other countries. This tangible progress highlights the crucial nature of the Ministry’s initiative in advancing public health.”
Prostate cancer ranks fourth among the most common types of cancer among men in Egypt. Patients in Egypt face significant challenges, including a lack of awareness about the disease’s symptoms and the importance of early detection, as well as the associated social stigma, leading to delayed diagnosis and worsening conditions.
Bayer will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to implement a series of initiatives aimed at building national capacities and training healthcare professionals to provide necessary care according to international standards. This includes the establishment of specialized platforms to disseminate data and enhance diagnostic capabilities by providing necessary support for required tests and laboratory analyses to detect cases that require treatment.
This initiative falls within the framework of the national strategy to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, during which Egypt is witnessing significant transformations in its healthcare system. The Ministry of Health aims to enhance the level of care provided through the early detection and treatment of cancer initiative, which has been launched in 18 governorates so far, targeting four types of cancers: cervical, lung, colon, and prostate cancer.
Bayer is actively supporting and aligning with the significant transformation occurring in Egypt’s healthcare system in general, especially the presidential initiatives “100 Million Health,” through which 14 presidential initiatives have been launched.
Further, Bayer in Egypt collaborates with the Ministry of Health and Population on several presidential initiatives, the most important of which are:
1. Early Detection of Liver Cancer: Oral treatment has been provided to eligible Egyptian patients, in addition to building sustainable capacities to enhance the efficiency of healthcare providers in collaboration with major global centers. We have an ambitious plan to expand and reach African countries to assist more liver cancer patients through centers of excellence in Egypt, making Egypt the gateway to the African continent.
2. Egyptian Family Development Initiative: This initiative aims to empower Egyptian women, providing the best long-term contraceptive methods, Hormonal IUD, to Egyptian women, and building the capacities of healthcare providers. Additionally, it enhances the establishment of two centers of excellence by supplying them with VitraMED simulation devices to ensure the sustainable improvement of Egyptian doctors’ capabilities.
