CAIRO, May 24 (MENA) - Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli reaffirmed the vital role of the Egyptian Ambulance Organization (EAO) as a cornerstone of the national healthcare system, describing it as the first line of defense in saving lives and a key player in crisis and disaster response, as well as in implementing public health initiatives.

Speaking during a major ceremony held at the EAO headquarters in 6th of October City, to mark 123 years since the launch of Egypt's ambulance services, Madbouli highlighted the organization’s contributions on both national and regional levels. He commended its humanitarian support for people fleeing conflict in neighboring countries, including Palestine, Sudan and others.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, a number of ministers, governors, parliament members, Chairman of the EAO Amr Rashid, Arab and foreign ambassadors along with health, finance and corporate sector representatives.

Before the ceremony, Madbouli posed for a photo opportunity with EAO officials and staff and viewed an exhibition of historic ambulance vehicles and documents dating back to the early 20th century.

In his speech, Abdel Ghaffar praised the continuous development of emergency medical services in Egypt, noting that the organization became a model of modern emergency response, based on advanced training, equipment and rapid response capabilities.

He commended the dedication of EAO personnel and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting them.

He paid special tribute to former health minister Hatem el Gabaly, who was behind the issuance of Presidential Decree no 39 of 2009 that transformed the EAO into a public service authority with its own budget and international partnerships.

He credited this shift for laying the groundwork for today’s modernization, greatly accelerated by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s unprecedented support, especially post-2014, including the procurement of thousands of fully equipped ambulances.

For his part, Chairman of the EAO Amr Rashid described the celebration as the launchpad for a new era in ambulance services, powered entirely by Egyptian expertise.

He highlighted the great interest in developing the ambulance system, referring to the organization's largest-ever deal to get 1,000 up-to-date ambulances under the “Decent Life Ambulance Fleet” initiative.

He noted that several projects were launched during the ceremony with an aim to improve ambulance and emergency healthcare services.

He added that the premier inaugurated the new EAO headquarters, covering 8 feddans, featuring AI-powered systems and smart building technologies for performance monitoring and efficient operation.

The projects also include opening of Egypt’s first government call center using global outsourcing standards, he said, referring to the implementation of a smart fleet control system, using advanced tablets for real-time communication between control rooms and ambulances and the launch of the first mobile app for ambulance in 13 governorates as the first stage, allowing citizens to book non-emergency ambulance services, track vehicle arrival, and receive app notifications.

The event concluded with a ceremonial recognition of distinguished EAO personnel for their exceptional service, including those who played crucial roles in rescuing the injured, safeguarding patients’ belongings, and demonstrating unwavering commitment.

Former health minister Hatem el Gabaly was also honored for his foundational role in the organization’s development. (MENA)

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