Addiction Treatment in Egypt: WHO Praises Regional Model for Rehabilitation

Addiction treatment in Egypt…an experience praised by World Health and a regional model for rehabilitation

في خطوة تؤكد مكانة مصر الرائدة في المجالينِ الصحي والاجتماعي، أثنت منظمة الصحة العالمية على تجربة صندوق مكافحة وعلاج الإدمان في تقديم خدمات علاجية متكاملة لمرضى الإدمان، ووصفتها بأنها من النماذج الرائدة في منطقة شرق المتوسط. This praise came during a visit by Dr. Hanan Balkhi – the organization’s regional director – to the Imbaba Center for Addiction Treatment, where she closely followed the work and rehabilitation mechanisms within the center.

There the visit of the World Health Organization delegation was a stop to evaluate Egypt’s experience in providing treatment services in accordance with international standards, and in a way that guarantees the patient’s dignity and his right to comprehensive rehabilitation. The delegation was received by Dr. Amr Othman – Director of the FundCombating and treating addiction – who reviewed before them the main work axes carried out by the Fund within the framework of the national strategyto combat drugs.

Details of the World Health Organization’s visit to the Al-Azima Center in Imbaba

The visit included an extensive field tour within the center’s departments, which includes clinics for men, women, and adolescents, in addition to a department specializing in dual diagnosis of psychological conditions related to addiction. It is noted that the center, in addition to drug or psychological treatment, provides physical and vocational rehabilitation services, through playgrounds, gyms, craft workshops, libraries, music halls and a theater.

This integration in service provision reflects Egypt’s vision in dealing with the issue of addiction as a humanitarian and development issue.First and foremost, it gives those recovering a real opportunity to reintegrate into society. There is no doubt that Dr. Hanan Balkhi’s participation with the recovered people in playing table tennis inside the center was a symbolic gesture that emphasizes the importance of breaking social stigma and promoting the concept of comprehensive recovery based on interaction and support.

A national system built with scientific evidence and institutional support

During the visit, Dr. Amr Othman gave a detailed presentation of the axes of the national strategy to combat drugs, which is being implemented under the auspices of the President of the Republic, in cooperation with various state institutions. This strategy focuses on early prevention, and moving from mere awareness to actual prevention, especially in schools, universities and youth centers, with special attention to areas at risk of drug spread.

The Fund approvesIt implements its programs on a model based on scientific evidence, attaches the utmost importance to protecting patients’ confidentiality and dignity, and provides free treatment through the network of “Al Azimah” centers spread across 19 governorates, numbering 34 centers so far, managed according to the highest standards, and receiving treatment requests via the “16023” hotline, which constitutes a safe and fast portal for applicants.

The “You are stronger than drugs” campaign achieves great success

As for the awareness aspect, it has witnessed remarkable success thanks to the media campaigns launched by the Fund, most notably the “You are stronger than drugs” campaign, with the participation of international star Mohamed Salah. This campaign, which addressed young people in a realistic language close to them, contributed to raising treatment demand rates by more than 500%, which indicates the significant impact of creative communication in changing societal behavior towards addiction.

What is noteworthy is that thisMedia success transcends local borders; To receive international honors from the United Nations and creative awards such as the Dubai Lynx Award. This reflects international appreciation for the exemplary role played by Egypt in the field of prevention and treatment, and places it in a leadership position at the region level in this humanitarian challenge.

International praise and a call to transfer the experience to neighboring countries

For her part, Dr. Hanan Balkhi expressed her great admiration for the integrated approach adopted by the Anti-Addiction Fund, which combines medical treatment and psychological support, community rehabilitation, and functional reintegration for those recovering. She pointed out that the Egyptian experience provides a unique model that can be benefited from in many Arab countries. She also called for transferring Egyptian expertise and providing technical and training support to sister countries, especially in light of the urgent need to enhanceThe capabilities of institutions working in the field of addiction treatment, and developing effective and sustainable response models based on integration and equity.

This call comes at a time when challenges related to addiction are increasing in many societies, especially after the social and psychological crises resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the major economic changes that affect many categories of young people, and therefore providing successful intervention models such as those implemented by Egypt is a regional necessity.

Determination centers implemented on the ground

Al-Azima Centers for Addiction Treatment have turned awareness campaigns into a practical reality, providing a safe and comprehensive therapeutic environment, providing free treatment in complete confidentiality, and taking into account the human and psychological dimension of the patient. The center in Imbaba is just a model within a network that extends to 19 governorates, and is managedHigh efficiency in accordance with international best practices.

By integrating psychological rehabilitation programs for addiction patients into the treatment plan, the patient is treated as a person who needs comprehensive support, not just medication. These programs include individual and group sessions, artistic and sports activities, in addition to vocational training workshops that help those recovering to start a new life based on production and self-reliance.

Mental health and addiction control

In light of the advanced Egyptian efforts in this field, the importance of linking addiction and mental health issues to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal (3) concerned with good health and well-being; Comprehensive treatment of addiction not only contributes to saving individuals from the cycle of suffering, but also enhances their productivity and reintegrates them into society.

Free treatment and psychological support systemVocational rehabilitation, which is implemented by “Al-Azima” centers, reflects the state’s commitment to the concept of social justice and ensuring that no one is left behind, which is a fundamental principle in achieving just and comprehensive sustainable development. Enabling those recovering to learn professions in demand in the labor market represents a practical path to rebuilding a stable and secure life.

Hence, the Egyptian experience in combating addiction is not just a treatment path, but rather a reflection of a qualitative shift in understanding the relationship between humans and development. When the state adopts an approach that combines psychological empowerment, professional support, and community rehabilitation, it thus establishes a new concept of social justice and restores respect to those who have been besieged by marginalization.

Therefore, theFoundationEarth Guardssees that this model, which is evident in the “centers of resolve” and the support systemextending around it, represents a proactive vision that recognizes that investing in human capital makes an effective contribution to economic recovery. This is why it is important to generalize this approach regionally, not only as a public health policy, but as a development pillar that helps build more inclusive and equitable societies in a world where psychological, social, and economic challenges are increasing simultaneously.