25 May 2022 – With the support of USAID, the WHO country office in Egypt and the Primary Healthcare and Nursing sector at Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population held a conference on 19 May to acknowledge and honour family physicians in celebration of World Family Doctor Day.
Two hundred (200) primary health care workers from different governorates all over Egypt, in addition to representatives from different departments and sectors at the Ministry, university professors and experts joined the celebration.
The conference emphasized the indispensable role that primary health care workers and family doctors play as frontliners and first points of contact for patients in providing essential health care services to all family members and responding to health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are often asked the question what does a family physician do? So, I am very happy with this large-scale event today that will help non-specialized people learn more about family medicine and its important role. Patients usually meet the family physician first who then provides not just physiological but also mental and social support and care to all family members of all ages,” said Doaa Ashour, Fellowship Specialist in Family Medicine and family physician at a medical centre in Damietta.
The event featured several scientific sessions and panel discussions in relation to family practice, such as maternal and child health, adolescent health services, management of noncommunicable diseases, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing primary health care in Egypt.
“COVID-19 has exposed the urgent need to invest in primary health care and address the shortage in the numbers of family physicians and nurses. Family practice is essential to achieving universal health coverage and building better and more resilient health systems post-pandemic,” said WHO Representative in Egypt and Head of Mission Dr Naeema Al Gasser.
The WHO country office continues to support primary health care in Egypt through providing technical support and capacity-building services to family physicians and nurses. Most recently, the country office supported the launch and national adaptation of the WHO Regional Professional Diploma in Family Medicine in Egypt.