In a groundbreaking initiative for the continent, Egyptian medical students have launched Africa’s first-ever “Health Diplomacy” program, aiming to empower a new generation of doctors with the tools to influence national and international health policy.
The inaugural edition of the Health Diplomacy Program for Medical Students was unveiled in Cairo, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine at the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI).
Organized under the patronage of IFMSA-Egypt and its MTI University branch, the program also enjoys support from the Scientific Association of Medical Students and media sponsorship from the AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media.
The initiative is designed to equip both Egyptian and non-Egyptian African students — including refugees from the Sudanese conflict — with a hybrid of academic knowledge and practical skills in diplomacy, public health, and international policy.
“The program aims to strengthen the skills of medical students in Egypt by providing equitable opportunities for non-Egyptian African students and physicians residing in Egypt to better understand African and global health issues, international relations, public health policies, and develop their research skills to effectively contribute to health policymaking,” organisers stated.
A lineup of high-profile speakers addressed participants, including Mostafa Magdy (Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports), Dr. Samah Kamel (UN), Dr. Mahmoud El-Qally (Certified Trainer in Sustainable Development), Dr. Ahmed El-Rifai (Political Science Expert), and Dr. Dalia Ghazlan (Health Education Specialist), among others.
Anthropologist Hassan Ghazaly emphasized the intersection between anthropology and medicine, noting the vital role that cultural understanding plays in effective healthcare delivery.
He also praised Egypt’s commitment to integrating African students and professionals into educational and volunteer structures.
Ghazaly extended heartfelt thanks to Professor Mohieddine Rajab El-Banna, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at MTI, and Vice Dean for Student Affairs Professor Hicham Mohamed Omran, for their active support in integrating African students into academic and community life.
The program’s diverse sessions spanned youth and public diplomacy, international law and health, sustainable development, negotiation, volunteerism, and public health strategy — forming a curriculum that uniquely blends medical training with geopolitical awareness.
This initiative signals a shift in how the continent prepares its healthcare leaders — not just to heal, but to advocate, influence, and shape the future of Africa’s public health systems.
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