National guideline development and adaptation, Egypt.

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Systems Research
• Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Public Health Program Development

Background:

• Egypt enacted a universal health coverage law in 2018, necessitating high-quality, evidence-based clinical and public health guidelines.
• The country, a lower-middle income nation with 117 million people, previously lacked a national guideline development program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To support Egypt's universal health coverage mandate by establishing a national guideline development and adaptation program.
• To inform the program's establishment through a situation analysis conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Main Methods:

• A situation analysis was performed by WHO to inform the program's development.
• Capacity-building workshops were delivered, a roadmap was developed, and the program was formally launched in July 2024.
• Collaboration involved the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, WHO, and the Egyptian Health Council.

Main Results:

• 225 individuals participated in capacity-building workshops.
• The national guideline program was launched in July 2024, leading to clearer responsibilities and harmonized processes.
• Key achievements included improved delineation of roles and elimination of overlaps among healthcare professionals and institutions.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation was driven by political support and stakeholder commitment, with WHO's contextualization approach adding value.
• Challenges encountered included reliance on international experts, limited resources, and insufficient institutional capacity.
• Sustained institutional development, coaching, funding, and stakeholder engagement are crucial for future success.