Rare Diseases in Egypt: A New Era of Transformation

Rare diseases affect about 1 in every 2,000 people globally, with 80% caused by genetic mutations. Half of diagnosed patients are children, and sadly 30% of these young patients do not survive beyond age five.

Globally, 400 million people live with rare diseases, making rapid diagnosis and innovative therapy access crucial. AstraZeneca leads in this field, pioneering treatments for seven rare diseases and collaborating with global scientific and policy communities to improve care systems.

Dr. Sorraya Bekkali, Senior Vice President of AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease Division, highlighted the company’s commitment to serving patients across 70 countries, aiming for 100 by 2030 through partnerships with governments and health bodies.

Egypt is advancing in rare disease care, co-sponsoring a major World Health Assembly resolution with Spain, marking a significant global commitment. Despite challenges like misdiagnosis and low awareness, education campaigns and streamlined drug approvals are improving outcomes.

AstraZeneca Egypt launched a dedicated Rare Disease Unit two years ago, introducing treatments and building partnerships to create sustainable care systems. A key milestone is the letter of intent signed with Egypt’s Ministry of Health during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week to localize molecular genetic testing, enabling earlier accurate diagnoses and reducing costs.

Utilizing advanced genetic data improves diagnostic speed and accuracy, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 to provide inclusive, high-quality care for rare conditions.

AstraZeneca and Egypt’s collaboration ushers in a transformative era for rare disease diagnosis and treatment, investing in early detection, research, and global partnerships to ensure special care for all rare disease patients.

Source: https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2025/06/02/rare-diseases-in-egypt-a-new-era-of-transformation/