Hala
Zaid

Dr. Hala Zaid is an internationally recognized health care leader and global health advisor, with over 30 years of experience in health care management, sector reform and medical education. She is Egypt’s former Minister of Health and Population, known worldwide as a pioneer in hepatitis C elimination, and was recognized by Avance Media as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women (2020).

As Minister, Dr. Zaid led transformative public health initiatives that positioned Egypt as a global model. The world-first Hepatitis C elimination campaign, screening 70 million citizens in record time, treating 2.2 million patients and extending diagnostics, medicines and training to several African countries. Nationwide women’s health programs, including breast cancer screening for 23 million women and reform of cancer care services. Children’s health and nutrition initiatives, such as neonatal hearing screening for 4 million newborns and annual school health assessments for 35 million students, address anaemia, obesity and stunting. The launch of Egypt’s first universal health insurance system across six governorates, alongside the institutionalization of new governance bodies for insurance, services and accreditation. National strategies for non-communicable diseases, cancer, geriatric health, maternal and child protection,  including elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV and syphilis. Egypt’s COVID-19 response and vaccine localization: establishing partnerships with Sinovac and Vacsera to produce over 40 million doses, ensuring domestic supply and enabling regional donations.

Regionally and internationally, Dr. Zaid has played key leadership roles, including as Chairperson of the 67th WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, advancing regional health security and humanitarian support during crises. Chair of the Regional Committee for Polio Eradication (WHO–EMRO), driving progress on polio virus containment. Chair of the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control (2019–2021), shaping continental health policy. Director of the Executive Board of Health Ministers’ Arab Council (Arab League) (2019–2022). A strong advocate for health workforce development, she was instrumental in the Harvard Medical School – Egyptian Ministry of Health joint program, designed to graduate 4,000 physicians and strengthen medical education. She also served as President of the 57357 Academy for Health Sciences and contributed extensively to peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Dr. Zaid continues to champion universal health coverage, equitable access to health care, and health care innovation, promoting stronger, more resilient health systems across Africa, the Middle East and globally.