Protocol of cooperation between the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University in Egypt

By United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
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Protocol of cooperation between the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University in Egypt

CAIRO, Egypt, November 29, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- In commemoration of World AIDS Day, Dr. Hussein Khariy, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University and Dr. Wessam El Beih, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Egypt signed a protocol of collaboration between Kasr El Aini medical school/ university hospitals and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in Egypt.


The protocol aims to strengthen multilevel interventions for enhancing health professionals' knowledge and practices for prevention of HIV and blood borne infections, strengthening medical ethics towards patient rights and combating HIV related stigma and discrimination in health care settings.


“As one of the oldest and most reputable medical institution in Egypt and the region, Al Kasr Al Aini commits to this co-operation with UNAIDS to improve knowledge and practices of health professionals related to blood-borne infections especially HIV and AIDS and to enhance medical care best practices in Egypt.” Said Dr. Khairy. The one year agreement will bring the support of several UN organizations to Kasr El Aini medical school and hospitals to provide intensive training and skills building to health professionals to eliminate any form of discrimination towards people living with HIV and enhance quality of service provision.


UNAIDS recent global progress report highlights that 25 countries around the world have reduced new infections by more than 50%. The Middle East and North Africa continue to witness increasing number of new infections. “Health professionals have the power to act as a reliable source of information for the general public and to play a significant role in spreading accurate information about HIV and AIDS, and eliminating HIV related stigma. It is our obligation to equip them to practice such role effectively” Dr. El Beih noted.