Egypt Needs 10,000 Magdi Yacoubs and a Doubled Healthcare Budget, President Sisi Declares

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed his profound aspiration for Egypt to cultivate 10,000 physicians of the same caliber as the globally acclaimed surgeon, Magdi Yacoub. These statements were made during the inaugural session of the Third Medical Conference of the Armed Forces College of Medicine, held at the al-Safwa International Conference Center within the Strategic Command headquarters in the New Capital. The President emphasized that nurturing future generations of scientists and specialists necessitates drawing inspiration from successful Egyptian role models and analyzing the elements that fostered their achievements. He further elaborated on his overarching vision for enhancing the education and health sectors, highlighting their critical role as the primary catalysts for national progress. "To reclaim Egypt's standing, precedence must be given to health and education," he asserted. President Sisi acknowledged the significant efforts undertaken by the state in 2013 and 2014 within these two sectors, but noted that the magnitude of the challenges meant these efforts were not fully realized. He detailed the substantial financial investments made from 2014 to 2026. President Sisi affirmed that the state's priority extends beyond mere facility numbers and graduate counts, focusing instead on merit and quality. This commitment has led to the establishment of twinning agreements with world-renowned universities and hospitals to harness their expertise and accelerate the enhancement of Egyptian capabilities and skills. The President underscored that the cooperation protocol signed between the Armed Forces College of Medicine and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland exemplifies the state's, and not just the Armed Forces', commitment to ensuring merit. He reiterated the state's dedication to human development across all domains and sectors. Regarding the Armed Forces College of Medicine, President Sisi noted a significant increase in civilian applications this year. Consequently, a plan has been devised to expand this initiative through the establishment of six new faculties at Kayan University, covering Medicine, Dentistry, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence. He identified these as the most advanced fields and stated the state's active pursuit of twinning agreements between these faculties and their esteemed international counterparts. Kayan University is projected to accommodate approximately 25,000 students. The President stressed that achieving the envisioned high-quality healthcare delivery would necessitate a budget at least double or triple the current allocation for healthcare. He remarked that providing healthcare to citizens, and indeed to anyone seeking refuge in Egypt, transcends economic considerations, encompassing moral, humanitarian, and religious imperatives. President Sisi directed the “Tahya Misr Fund” to cover the tuition expenses for exceptionally gifted students to attend Kayan University, contingent upon their sustained academic excellence. Kayan University is slated for inauguration in February 2027. He urged parents and students to fully leverage the meticulously designed programs offered by these faculties. The President expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming inauguration of Kayan University, as well as another new university along Ain Sokhna Road in March 2027, which is yet to be named. Both the President and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research confirmed that efforts are underway to transform eight universities into globally leading institutions, encompassing facilities, academic standards, and digitalization, affirming that significant national progress will be achieved through advancements in the health and education sectors. President Sisi concluded by emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue between officials and citizens to showcase state initiatives across all sectors, assuring the public that Egypt is progressing effectively towards its objectives. He highlighted that national development is a multi-decade endeavor requiring a clear action plan, diligent oversight, strong political will, stability, and continuity.