Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt screens over 8.3 million newborns for hearing loss in nationwide health initiative
Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has announced that 8,336,780 newborns have been screened for hearing impairments as part of the President’s Initiative for Early Detection and Treatment of Hearing Loss in Newborns, launched in September 2019.
The program, a cornerstone of Egypt’s “100 Million Health” campaign, aims to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage and provide high-quality medical services to children across the country, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the ministry’s official spokesperson, revealed that the number of referral hospitals and centers for auditory screening has increased from 30 to 34 nationwide. These facilities have been equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices to support the initiative’s goals.
Out of the children screened, 450,404 were referred for a confirmatory test a week after their initial screening at the same health unit. Additionally, 57,756 children were sent to specialized referral centers for further evaluation, where they received treatment, hearing aids, or, in some cases, cochlear implant surgeries.
The initiative has expanded to include 3,500 health units across all Egyptian governorates, offering auditory screenings for newborns from birth to 28 days old. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that failing the second screening does not confirm hearing loss but indicates the need for advanced testing at referral centers.
Dr. Mohi El-Sayed, the initiative’s general coordinator, highlighted that early detection prevents long-term hearing disabilities and mitigates speech and psychological challenges that could affect a child’s development.
To support the program, nursing teams have been trained to use auditory emission devices, and data entry staff across health units have been trained to record newborns’ health information on the initiative’s electronic platform.
This includes integrating auditory screening results into birth certificates to create comprehensive health records for each child.
The Ministry of Health welcomes public inquiries about the initiative through the “100 Million Health” hotline at 15335. The program reflects Egypt’s commitment to improving newborn healthcare and ensuring a healthy, secure future for its youngest citizens.