The British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) organized a Sohour in honour of H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health & Population. Eng. Khaled Nossier, BEBA Chairman, started the event highlighting the importance of investing in medical opportunities and welcomed guests, ministers, and ambassadors including H.E. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance of Egypt, H.E. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, H.E.Gareth Bayley, British Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Kim Yonghyon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, Mr. Hossam Heiba, President of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Mr. Mohanad Khaled, Chairman of Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce, , and Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Executive Director of the Authority of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. He then welcomed H.E. Dr. Abdelghaffar to the stage to give his presentation.

Dr. Abdelghaffar began by emphasizing the government’s commitment to encouraging investments, both locally and internationally, in various sectors, particularly in healthcare. He highlighted legislative advancements that facilitate private sector involvement, aiming to increase healthcare coverage by adding 7,000 new beds within the next three years. Dr. Abdelghaffar invited interested parties to engage with the Ministry of Health to explore investment opportunities further.

Transitioning to a discussion on leadership, Dr. Abdelghaffar posed the question of whether leaders are born or made. He delved into the evolution of industrial revolutions from 1780 to the present, emphasizing the accelerating pace of technological advancement. Dr. Abdelghaffar then examined generational demographics, highlighting the characteristics of each group, from Baby Boomers to Generation Alpha. He underscored the importance of understanding these generational differences in crafting effective leadership and education strategies.

Dr. Abdelghaffar presented demographic changes in Egypt, particularly noting the increasing population of youth aged 15 to 24, emphasizing the need to invest in education and innovation to harness this demographic dividend. He detailed the characteristics of Millennials and Generation Z, highlighting their social, entrepreneurial, and digitally native traits. Dr. Abdelghaffar stressed the importance of preparing for future job roles, such as cybersecurity specialists and blockchain developers, to meet evolving market demands.

In discussing the future of work, Dr. Abdelghaffar contrasted past organizational structures with emerging trends, such as globally distributed workforces and democratized learning. He outlined shifts in leadership styles, emphasizing the importance of empathy and mindful use of digital tools. Dr. Abdelghaffar urged leaders to focus on delivering results and fostering motivation rather than employing manipulative methods. In summary, Dr. Abdelghaffar emphasized the necessity of preparing future generations with the necessary mindset, skillset, and toolset to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of work and leadership effectively. He advocated for a holistic approach encompassing beliefs, competencies, and methodologies to ensure readiness for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

During the question-and-answer session, moderated by Eng. Nossier, he raised a question regarding existing laws restricting investments in the healthcare sector and inquired about plans to amend these laws. Dr. Abdelghaffar affirmed the government’s commitment to promoting private sector engagement, mentioning ongoing legislative revisions and forthcoming legislations aimed at facilitating investments through tax incentives, land opportunities, and operational concessions. He highlighted the political will to enhance public-private partnerships in healthcare, citing opportunities for private sector involvement in hospital operations and land development. Dr. Abdelghaffar emphasized the importance of private sector participation in achieving universal health coverage, citing ongoing efforts to expand primary healthcare infrastructure and address human resource challenges.

Moreover, Eng. Nossier raised another question about uncertainty surrounding the implementation of rules for clinical trials, highlighting the importance of resolving these issues to facilitate investment in the pharmaceutical sector. Dr. Abdelghaffar responded by announcing the establishment of a higher committee for clinical trials, which aims to address related challenges and streamline the approval process. He expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity to resolve existing issues and facilitate clinical trial programs in Egypt.

Finally, the last question was about the future public health initiatives following the success of the hepatitis C campaign. Dr. Abdelghaffar commended the achievement in eradicating hepatitis C and discussed ongoing initiatives targeting cancer early detection and treatment, particularly for prostate, lung, colorectal, and cervical cancers. He also highlighted a new initiative focused on autism and mental health disorders, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental health alongside physical health. Dr. Abdelghaffar concluded by discussing a mandatory pre-marital investigation initiative aimed at detecting genetic disorders and infectious diseases, emphasizing individual choice in the decision-making process. In conclusion, Eng. Nossier thanked Dr. Abdelghaffar for addressing BEBA’s event.