Nearly 5 Million Students Screened in National Health Initiative

The Ministry of Health and Population reported that roughly 4.9 million primary-level students have participated in a nationwide health screening program. Both Egyptian nationals and foreign residents are able to participate in this program, which has been active since November 2023.

This program’s goal is the early detection of conditions such as anaemia, obesity and malnutrition. The program also includes assessments of participant’s height, weight, and blood haemoglobin levels. These metrics are used to identify nutritional deficiencies. In addition to screenings, the program includes strategies to improve student health.

These interventions are a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education. Students who test positive for any of the diseases included in the tests are directed to health insurance clinics for further evaluation and complementary treatment. Participating students also receive monitoring cards that enable them to receive regular check-ups through health insurance clinics across all governorates. These specific interventions were created in partnership with the General Authority for Health Insurance.

The health screening initiative will continue until the end of the school year across all Egyptian governorates.