19 February 2017 – On 16 February, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Mahmoud Fikri received the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Dr Ahmed Emad Eldin Rady at the WHO Regional Office in Cairo, accompanied by the WHO Representative in Egypt, Dr Jean Jabbour.  This welcome visit came after the inauguration of the new Regional Director who assumed office on 1 February 2017. The Regional Director discussed WHO’s collaborative work and strategic priorities for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and His Excellency the Minister, praised WHO’s support to countries of the Region, especially those countries experiencing crisis.  The two parties discussed strengthening partnership between WHO and the Ministry in 3 main areas:  • developing comprehensive medical surveys for patients with hepatitis virus C; • developing a national strategy and action plan for road safety in Egypt; • and initiating an exchange of views and experiences on application of comprehensive health insurance law.   WHO provided support to Egypt’s national viral hepatitis programme in the development of the national plan of action for the prevention, care and treatment of viral hepatitis (2014–2018). Implementation of the action plan has ended long waiting lists for treatment of patients with hepatitis C. In addition, WHO has supported educational programmes about hepatitis and developed awareness-raising materials on the early detection and prevention of hepatitis C virus. WHO provided support to the Ministry in the development of the national road safety strategy and action plan to reduce the number of road traffic accidents in Egypt and supported the Government’s development of a database on road accidents, in coordination with concerned ministries. Outreach programmes for citizens have also been strengthened. WHO will provide support to the Government of Egypt in preparation for implementation of comprehensive health insurance law and will share the views of international experts and the successful experiences of other countries to facilitate its implementation in Egypt.