Egypt has officially launched a presidential initiative to support children living with type 1 diabetes as part of its “100 Million Healthy Lives” programme, aiming to improve care through the use of continuous glucose monitoring technology.

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said around 55,000 children in Egypt, from birth to the age of 18, are living with type 1 diabetes, making it a significant health challenge for affected children and their families.

Speaking at the launch event, Abdel Ghaffar said the initiative provides modern continuous glucose monitoring devices that can eliminate more than 3,650 finger-prick tests per child each year, equivalent to eight to 10 daily tests.

He said the technology would improve children’s quality of life and reduce the physical and psychological burden associated with managing the disease.

The minister added that the programme extends beyond medical devices to include family training, health education and regular follow-up care, in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the initiative’s scientific committee.