Lyon: Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said that Egypt's participation in the 'One Health' Summit in Lyon, on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, aims to present the country's pioneering experience in implementing the 'One Health' approach and to strengthen international partnerships in this vital field.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister, in a statement to MENA's correspondent in France, said Egypt's presence at the high-profile global gathering seeks to open broader avenues for cooperation with countries and international organizations to address cross-border health threats, particularly amid mounting global challenges in the health sector.

The minister highlighted that Egypt launched its National One Health Strategy in 2023, building on more than two decades of accumulated expertise. The strategy is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the close interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, aiming to ensure prevention and effective response to health risks.

He pointed to global studies indicating that nearly 60 percent of human diseases originate from animals, while more than 70 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted through animals or vectors such as mosquitoes, underscoring the urgent need for integrated coordination among public health, veterinary, agricultural, and environmental sectors.

Abdel Ghaffar also emphasized that food safety and agricultural production patterns are key components of the One Health framework, warning that unsafe practices, such as excessive use of pesticides and antibiotics, can lead to serious and long-term health consequences.

The minister further noted the direct impact of climate change and environmental pollution on human health. He stressed that such interlinkages require sustained institutional coordination among relevant national entities. He added that Egypt's national strategy clearly defines complementary roles across sectors to ensure early prevention and limit the spread of diseases.

Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the integrated efforts among the ministries of health, environment, agriculture, and water resources and irrigation, as well as entities responsible for climate change issues, as part of Egypt's comprehensive approach to advancing the One Health agenda.