Egypt Breaks New Ground with Africa’s First Health Diplomacy Program for Medical Students

Egyptian medical students have launched Africa’s first-ever “Health Diplomacy for Medical Students” program, aimed at reshaping the role of future doctors in society. Held at the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), the initiative represents a pioneering step in integrating public health with diplomacy, international relations, and sustainable development.

Organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt) and its MTI branch, the program was supported by the Scientific Association of Medical Students and received complimentary media sponsorship from the AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media. It seeks to raise awareness about the broader societal responsibilities of doctors and to equip medical students—both Egyptian and non-Egyptian—with the knowledge and skills necessary to influence health policy at both national and international levels.

The Faculty of Medicine at MTI University played host to the historic event, providing a supportive academic environment for a diverse group of participants, including Sudanese medical students who have fled conflict in their home country. Organizers emphasized that the program was designed to ensure inclusivity and equity in access to training, offering practical exposure in addition to academic learning.

Speakers and facilitators at the event included top experts from a variety of fields, including government, public health, sustainable development, and international law. Among the high-profile participants were Mr. Mostafa Magdy, Assistant to Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Samah Kamel, Head of the Youth and Children Group at the United Nations; Dr. Mahmoud El-Qally, a certified trainer in sustainable development; and Dr. Ahmed El-Rifai, a political science expert. Others included Dr. Dalia Ghazlan, a public health awareness specialist; Mr. Hamada Qaoud from the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development; Ahmed Aboudouma, Head of the Legal Committee at the Arab Youth Platform for Sustainable Development; and Dr. Rumaila Shahir, a sustainable development and business consultant.

One of the program’s key highlights was a lecture by anthropological researcher Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Global Solidarity Network and member of the African Journalists Union. Ghazaly stressed the importance of anthropology in understanding the health needs of communities and highlighted the Egyptian government’s support for African doctors and the opportunities available for volunteering within African Union medical institutions. He commended Professor Mohy El-Din Ragab El-Banna, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at MTI, and Professor Hesham Mohamed Omran, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, for their commitment to empowering African students and integrating them fully into academic and community life.

The week-long sessions delved into topics such as youth and public diplomacy, international law and health, volunteerism in Africa, negotiation skills, public health and sustainable development, and even personal branding for doctors. According to organizers, these subjects are critical to preparing a new generation of doctors who understand that their role goes beyond the clinic or hospital and extends to leadership in health governance.

This first-of-its-kind program positions Egypt at the forefront of health education reform in Africa. By connecting medical education with global health policy and diplomacy, the initiative aims to build a corps of doctors who are not only clinical experts but also thought leaders, negotiators, and advocates for better healthcare systems. Organizers have confirmed that future editions of the program will expand to include more African participants and wider institutional collaborations, reinforcing Egypt’s leadership in promoting health diplomacy and sustainable development across the continent.