For the third consecutive year, the Africa Health ExCon was held in Cairo, Egypt, featuring the broad participation of representatives from governments, international organizations, universities, the private sector, and civil society organizations. Held under the auspices of Egypt’s President Abdel El Fattah El Sisi, the event’s sessions provided a space to promote sustainability and advancement across the healthcare sector, a goal achieved through fostering connections, showcasing innovations, and creating platforms for knowledge dissemination.

Holding the theme Your Gateway to Innovation and Trade, this year’s ExCon featured an exhibition showcasing the latest in health technology. The ExCon’s agenda also included rich discussions covering a wide range of topics from clinical medicine and healthcare management, to public health, and digital health.

Led by its Executive Director, Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, EMPHNET’s delegation actively participated in activities throughout the event. Alongside other global health experts, Dr. Al Nsour took part in a panel discussion titled "Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery." During his talk, he highlighted the importance of implementing public health and social measures during pandemics and emergencies. He stressed that such contributions should be made in strict alignment with community needs, while shedding light on the role of community participation and evidence-based decisions-making as factors contributing to the efficacy of such measures. He also specified that a balance ought to be maintained between health on the one hand and economic cost and psychological impact on the other.  

“We need more effective prevention strategies considering lessons learned from COVID-19 response and its impact on populations across the globe.” Dr. Al Nsour at a session on pandemic prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

In another panel discussion, Dr. Al Nsour addressed the obstacles confronting global health actors in the areas of NCD prevention and control, while placing the spotlight on progress made by governments and international organizations regarding NCDs. He concluded this talk by stressing on the importance of maximizing financial and technical investments made in digital health across sectors, stating that this is an important step to be taken in order to improve NCD management, research, and prevention strategies

EMPHNET’s delegation meeting with the Africa CDC team headed by Director General HE Dr. Jean Kasyea, the Regional Director of Africa CDC's Regional Coordinating Center for Northern Africa Dr. Wessam Mankoula, and other members to discuss joint priorities for scaling up collaborations in Africa.

On the sidelines of Africa Health ExCon, Dr. Al Nsour and the EMPHNET delegation met with several distinguished experts from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Africa. The purpose of these meetings was to explore opportunities for effective partnerships. Such talks were held with representatives of Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, WHO-EMRO, WHO-Egypt, and Africa CDC, among others.

EMPHNET’s engagement in the Africa Health ExCon exhibits its commitment to joining the global momentum for enhancing and expanding collaborations and partnerships across nations, sectors, and industries.