Arab Ministers Approve Burn Awareness Day Proposed by Heba El-Sewedy

The Council of Arab Ministers of Health has approved the establishment of an annual 'Arab Humanity Burn Free Day', following a proposal submitted by Egyptian philanthropist Dr. Heba El-Sewedy, Founder and Chairwoman of Ahl Masr Foundation and Burn Hospital. The decision was made during the council's 65th session at the League of Arab States headquarters in Cairo.

The initiative aims to raise awareness of burn risks and prevention while strengthening cooperation between Arab countries in specialised burn treatment, rehabilitation and long-term survivor support. It also seeks to address the social challenges faced by burn survivors, including stigma and difficulties returning to everyday life.

The approval follows more than a decade of work by El-Sewedy and Ahl Masr Foundation to improve burn care in Egypt. Through its specialised hospital and advocacy initiatives, the foundation has focused on providing treatment and rehabilitation services while raising awareness of the medical and social needs of burn patients.

The new observance is intended to encourage greater regional cooperation across all stages of recovery, from emergency medical intervention and specialised treatment to physical rehabilitation and social reintegration.

The proposal was among several regional healthcare initiatives discussed during the council's 65th session, chaired by Egypt's Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar.