Aswan Governor, University President and Deputy Minister of Health: Investing in People and Population Awareness Is a Key Pillar for Achieving Sustainable Development
As part of the celebrations marking World Population Day, and with the participation of state institutions as well as health, educational and community organizations, Aswan University hosted extensive activities aimed at raising awareness of population issues, promoting family health, and enhancing community awareness.
The events were attended by Eng. Amr Lashin, Governor of Aswan; Dr. Ashraf Imam Abdel-Rady, Acting President of Aswan University; and Dr. Abla Ahmed El-Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Population for Population Affairs and Family Development and Supervisor of the National Population Council. Also in attendance were Dr. Mohamed Zaky El-Dahshoury, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Mohamed Saeed, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Population in Aswan; as well as representatives of educational and medical institutions, the Doctors’ and Nursing Syndicates, the National Council for Women, and civil society organizations.
The celebrations reaffirmed the importance of integrating the efforts of state institutions and society in addressing population issues, promoting health and community awareness, and supporting Egyptian families, in line with the Egyptian state’s vision of investing in people and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Walking Marathon Embodies the Message of World Population Day
As part of the celebrations, a walking marathon was organized with the participation of a number of students, young people, and other participants. The event highlighted the importance of sports in promoting physical and mental health, spreading a culture of healthy living among young people, and connecting awareness messages with health, physical activity, and positive lifestyles.
The organization of the marathon added a community and sporting dimension to the World Population Day activities. It also emphasized that investing in people is not limited to health awareness, but includes caring for physical and mental well-being and promoting positive behaviors among children and young people.
Aswan Governor: Investing in People Is the Real Investment in the Governorate’s Future
Eng. Amr Lashin, Governor of Aswan, affirmed that celebrating World Population Day is an important occasion to renew commitment to population, health, and family development issues. He noted that building an informed and healthy population is the cornerstone of achieving comprehensive development.
The Governor stated that Aswan Governorate is keen to support cooperation among various state institutions, the university, the health sector, and civil society, in a way that helps deliver awareness messages to different segments of society, particularly young people and families. He emphasized that addressing population challenges is a shared responsibility that requires integrated roles and unified efforts.
He added that the walking marathon sends a positive message highlighting the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles and encouraging young people to practice sports, as physical activity is one of the essential components of building a healthier society capable of contributing to the development process.
Aswan University President: The University Is a Key Partner in Building Awareness and Serving the Community
For his part, Dr. Ashraf Imam Abdel-Rady, Acting President of Aswan University, affirmed that the university’s hosting of World Population Day activities reflects its role as a center of science and knowledge and a key partner in serving the community and promoting environmental development.
He said that the university believes that addressing population and health issues cannot be successfully achieved through the efforts of a single institution. Rather, it requires genuine partnership and integration among the Ministry of Health and Population, educational and medical institutions, the Doctors’ and Nursing Syndicates, the National Council for Women, civil society organizations, and all state institutions.
He added that Aswan University places support for initiatives aimed at raising health and community awareness among its top priorities. Such initiatives contribute to empowering families and women, promoting sound health and population concepts, and fostering a culture of social responsibility among young people.
Dr. Imam pointed out that the walking marathon, organized as part of the celebrations, started from the university’s administrative building and ended at Field Marshal Tantawy Hall. He explained that the event conveyed a practical message that health is a way of life, while demonstrating the university’s commitment to linking academic knowledge with positive practices that directly contribute to the health and well-being of the community.
Deputy Minister of Health: Population Awareness Begins with Building an Informed and Healthy Family
Dr. Abla Ahmed El-Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Population for Population Affairs and Family Development and Supervisor of the National Population Council, emphasized that celebrating World Population Day represents an important opportunity to enhance awareness of population and family development issues and support efforts aimed at improving population characteristics and promoting the health of Egyptian families.
She explained that addressing population issues requires action across a number of integrated areas, including family health, women’s empowerment, raising community awareness, investing in young people, improving the quality of health services, and strengthening community participation.
She praised the cooperation with Aswan University, Aswan Governorate, and all organizations participating in the activities, stressing that institutional partnerships are a fundamental element in transforming awareness messages into impactful programs and initiatives that reach citizens across different segments of society.
She added that organizing a sports marathon alongside World Population Day activities reflects an integrated concept of health based on prevention, behavioral change, and promoting physical activity, particularly among young people.
Institutional Partnership and a Unified Message
The activities highlighted the importance of maintaining coordination among Aswan Governorate, Aswan University, the Ministry of Health and Population, the National Population Council, health and educational institutions, and civil society organizations. Such coordination ensures the development of sustainable awareness programs that respond to the needs of the local community.
The participation of young people in the marathon also conveyed a powerful symbolic message that investment in people begins with health and awareness, and that young people represent a fundamental force in shaping a healthier, more stable, and more developed future.
The activities concluded with an emphasis on continuing cooperation and coordination among all participating institutions and working to translate the recommendations and awareness messages into practical steps and initiatives that contribute to supporting family health and strengthening population awareness among the Aswan community.
