Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, participated in the opening of the 8th International Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine Education, held in Cairo from 13 to 15 November. The gathering marks the first time the event has been hosted in Egypt and the Arab world, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China.
The conference aims to enhance cooperation in medical education, professional training, scientific research, and the exchange of expertise in traditional Chinese medicine. Abdel-Ghaffar emphasized the shared medical heritage of the Egyptian and Chinese civilizations during his address, noting the rising international interest in practices such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, while praising the Egyptian-Chinese University for advancing bilateral ties.
Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, Adviser to the President for Health and Prevention Affairs, stressed the need to train qualified professionals and build evidence-based academic curricula. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ehab Hassanein pointed to the importance of engaging with international expertise.
Karima Abdel Karim, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian-Chinese University, announced plans to establish a specialized research center for traditional Chinese medicine, anticipated to become the largest facility of its kind in Africa. Li Yu, Vice Chairperson of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, stated that Egypt's selection as host highlights the strength of bilateral relations and could lead to a specialized academy.