As part of the state's efforts to enhance governance in the health sector, a series of specialized activities commenced on June 16. These activities, which will continue over the next four days, aim to support internal auditing and governance departments within this vital sector. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Administrative Control Authority (ACA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and is supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). 

The initiative was inaugurated with a high-level national workshop attended by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation; Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Tamer Fergani, Deputy Head of the Administrative Control Authority; Mr. Ghimar Deeb, Deputy Resident Representative and Officer-in-Charge at UNDP Egypt, as well as a distinguished group of officials, experts, and representatives from international partners supporting this initiative. This workshop is expected to serve as a strategic framework and scientific reference to enhance the integrity of health governance, thereby improving the quality and inclusiveness of services across all levels.

Following the workshop, an in-depth training will take place from June 17 to 19, 2025, focused on implementing measures to address sector-specific corruption risks. This training marks a practical step in the joint pathway, as participants will play a vital role in protecting public funds, enhancing institutional performance efficiency, and embedding principles of transparency and accountability within public health institutions, including university hospitals. The training will also include knowledge exchange sessions, drawing from both Egyptian and international experiences in health sector governance.

The activities, hosted in the New Administrative Capital, contribute to the development of a unified vision and a future action plan for internal auditing and governance departments operating within the health sector. This work is being carried out in cooperation with the Administrative Control Authority, the Ministry of Health and Population, various public bodies established under the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS), the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and other relevant government institutions.

This initiative builds on the outcomes of the high-level regional conference organized by the Ministry of Health and Population in cooperation with UNDP in October 2024, entitled “Health Sector Integrity in the Arab Region”. During the conference, stakeholders committed to strengthening institutional tools, building specialized capabilities and promoting national, regional, and international cooperation to embed the principles and practices of transparency, accountability, participation, and rule of law within the health sector. These collective efforts aim to accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3: “Good Health and Well-being”.

From his side, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative Ghimar Deeb stated: “Strengthening governance in the health sector is a strategic priority to ensure equitable and effective health services. We are pleased to be part of this important national effort, in partnership with the Administrative Control Authority Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Planning, economic Development and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of Higher Education, and with the support of KOICA. We consider this initiative a true investment in supporting the state’s efforts to enhance the performance and capabilities of public service sectors, thereby contributing to the improvement of the quality of services provided to citizens.”

Following this training, further collaborative activities will be organized involving ministries and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the health sector. These efforts align with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, the national vision to enhance health services and achieve universal health coverage coverage and broader initiatives aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030.