71 Million Health Screenings Conducted for School Students Since Launch of Initiative

Early Detection Initiative for Anemia, Obesity, and Stunting.

The Ministry of Health and Population has announced that a total of 71 million and 875 thousand health screenings have been conducted for primary school students since the launch of the President’s initiative aimed at early detection of anemia, obesity, and stunting in 2019. This initiative will continue through the end of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the ministry’s official spokesperson, explained that the initiative targets all Egyptian and non-Egyptian students in primary schools across 29,000 public and private schools throughout the country during the academic year.

The services provided include comprehensive medical screenings, as well as measuring weight, height, and hemoglobin levels in blood to identify malnutrition-related diseases early.

Dr. Ahmed Mustafa, head of the Health Insurance Authority, confirmed that cases identified with health issues are referred to health insurance clinics for further examinations and free treatment. Each student receives a “follow-up card” containing their personal data to ensure regular monitoring.

Dr. Tamer Samir, coordinator of the presidential initiative, noted that 2,000 highly trained medical teams are participating in this effort while strictly adhering to infection control protocols and preventive measures. The screenings are conducted throughout the year to avoid overcrowding.

Additionally, health education teams are raising awareness among students about precautionary measures. Citizens can inquire via hotlines 105 and 106.