Egyptian medical students pioneer Africa’s first health diplomacy program

July 9, 2025 in Foreign News by Editor

Cairo, Egypt — In a groundbreaking step that could redefine the role of medical professionals in Africa, Egyptian students have launched the continent’s first Health Diplomacy Program for Medical Students, positioning Egypt as a regional hub for the integration of health, diplomacy, and sustainable development.

Hosted at the Faculty of Medicine at MTI University, the inaugural edition of the program was organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt) and its MTI chapter, with backing from the university’s Scientific Association of Medical Students and media support from the AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media.

The initiative signals a growing recognition that tomorrow’s doctors must be equipped not only with clinical skills, but also with a nuanced understanding of global health policy, diplomacy, and community leadership. For many of the participants — including displaced Sudanese students who have fled conflict — the program offered a rare blend of academic engagement and practical empowerment in a fair and inclusive environment.

Building Doctors Who Can Negotiate, Lead and Advocate

Designed as more than just a short course, the Health Diplomacy Program aims to build capacity among medical students to navigate complex public health systems, engage with international health policy, and take part in diplomatic and developmental discussions that shape the future of healthcare across Africa.

“This initiative represents a shift from viewing the doctor purely as a caregiver, to recognizing their potential as negotiators, policymakers, and agents of sustainable development,” said Dr. Rumaila Shahir, Head of the German Academy in Cairo and one of the program’s expert speakers.

The sessions were as diverse as they were timely, covering themes such as youth diplomacy, international law and health, negotiation skills, volunteerism in Africa, and personal branding for doctors — all framed within the context of public health and sustainable development.

Cross-Sectoral Experts Weigh In

The program drew on an impressive lineup of speakers from across public health, diplomacy, and governance. Among them were:

• Dr. Samah Kamel, Head of the Youth and Children Group at the UN
• Mr. Mostafa Magdy, Assistant to Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports
• Dr. Ahmed El-Rifai, political science expert
• 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

In a particularly compelling session, anthropological researcher Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Global Solidarity Network, explored the relevance of anthropology in medical practice, urging doctors to understand the cultural landscapes of the communities they serve. He also unpacked the concept of public diplomacy, its relevance to African medical professionals, and volunteer opportunities available through the African Union in healthcare institutions across the continent.

Egypt as a Hub for Health Diplomacy

The launch of the Health Diplomacy Program reflects Egypt’s broader ambition to play a leadership role in African capacity-building. Through programs like this, the country is not only equipping its own youth but also creating pathways for non-Egyptian African students to engage meaningfully with health governance and diplomacy.

Special recognition was extended to Professor Mohy El-Din Ragab El-Banna, Dean of MTI’s Faculty of Medicine, and Professor Hesham Mohamed Omran, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, for their commitment to supporting African students and integrating them into both academic and civic spheres.

A Model for the Continent?

With aspirations to expand in future editions, the organizers say this is just the beginning of a longer journey to embed health diplomacy in medical curricula and create a new generation of doctors who can lead not only in hospitals but also in boardrooms and international forums.

“The next generation of African doctors must be able to shape policy, engage in international negotiations, and design health solutions that respond to both local and global challenges,” said one of the organizers.

By bridging the gap between medical education and social responsibility, the Health Diplomacy Program may well mark a turning point — not just for Egypt, but for how Africa prepares its medical workforce for the future.