Egypt's First Integrated Genetics Laboratory Has Just Opened

The Ministry of Health and Population has inaugurated Egypt’s first laboratory for pathological and genetic analysis at the Egyptian Centre for Disease Control. The project is a collaboration between the ministry, Roche, a leading pharmaceutical firm, and HDV Egypt, a firm specialising in diagnostics.

The laboratory will have the capacity to conduct about 1800 genetic analyses annually as well as examine around 400,000 cancer pathology samples, which would assist doctors in determining the most appropriate treatments.

The construction of the centre aligns with the presidential initiative to create a national health strategy for the early detection and prevention of cancer.

The larger cancer prevention and treatment project is being conducted in four phases, aiming to incorporate similar laboratories in all of the country’s governorates. The first phase began operation in June 2023 and has already established institutions in Alexandria, Qalyubia, Beheira, Damietta, South Sinai, Marsa Matrouh, Fayoum, Asyout and Port Said.

The project is expected to reach completion by the beginning of 2024.