Sudanese Initiative Launched to Protect Medics

Sudanese Initiative Launched to Protect Medics
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Sudanese Initiative Launched to Protect Medics

Sudanese Initiative Launched to Protect Medics

The Sudanese people are increasingly concerned with the spread of the new coronavirus, especially after a third person tested positive on Wednesday.

Many COVID-19 social awareness campaigns have been launched in the country.

Israa Adam Ahmed, the head of Builders Without Borders, a volunteer-based community service, pointed out that a greater burden falls on social workers to help in raising awareness to prevent matters from getting worse as the country already has a weak healthcare system.

Ahmed added that even developed states weren’t able to curb the pandemic.

Ahmed cautioned against non-compliance with the preventive guidelines, advice provided by health officials and decisions taken by local authorities.

She recommended social distancing, warning that public gatherings could lead to a catastrophic scenario in Sudan.

As for coronavirus social work done by Builders Without Borders, Ahmed said the group had carried out an awareness campaign in some of Sudan’s busiest markets.

During the campaign, volunteers distributed sterilizers to the public.

A number of doctors have launched the "Hanahmih" initiative, which aims to protect the medical staff working in hospitals from the risk of infection, and to provide protective masks and eyewear by collecting donations.

The head of the initiative, Dr.Manal Al-Duqair, said that the move started on social media and was successful in providing sterilizers and masks.

“Hospitals in Sudan need a (million) protective face masks. Deaths among Sudanese medics could match Italy and China if they are not protected,” Duqair said.

Young men and women in a number of Sudanese cities and villages have been active in sterilizing mosques, and providing sterilizers and disinfectants for pedestrians at transportation and road stations.

Sudanese pharmacist Fatima Mohamed Al-Hassan says that pharmacists are spending unremitting efforts to support the government.

In order to help with the scarcity of sterilizers, Hassan revealed that some pharmacists are producing sanitizers, locally distributing them to hospitals and the public.



Sisi: Electricity Interconnection Projects with Saudi Arabia a Model for Regional Cooperation

Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi: Electricity Interconnection Projects with Saudi Arabia a Model for Regional Cooperation

Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi affirmed that the electrical interconnection project with Saudi Arabia represents a model of regional energy cooperation and a benchmark for future similar ventures in electrical connectivity, directing close monitoring of all project details.
Sisi made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawy.
According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency on Sunday, the discussion reviewed the status of electrical interconnection projects between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing their importance in enhancing grid efficiency and stability while optimizing the use of generation capacity during peak demand periods.
Cairo and Riyadh signed an agreement in 2012 to establish the electrical interconnection project at a cost of $1.8 billion, with Egypt contributing $600 million (1 USD = 49.65 EGP in local banks). In a government meeting in mid-October, Madbouly announced that the interconnection line is expected to become operational in May or June of next year, with an initial capacity of 1,500 megawatts.
This initiative is the first of its kind to enable high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power exchange in the Middle East and North Africa region. It connects Badr City in Egypt to Medina via Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Late last month, Madbouly highlighted that the project, set to produce 3,000 megawatts in two phases, is a landmark achievement for Egypt’s energy sector.
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed al-Shenawy stated that the meeting also highlighted the progress on the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The project is seen as vital to Egypt’s comprehensive development strategy, which aims to diversify energy sources through renewable and alternative means, improving service delivery to citizens.
Located in northern Egypt, the Dabaa plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts (1,200 megawatts per reactor). The first reactor is expected to be operational by 2028, with the others coming online sequentially. The Egyptian government has pledged to fulfill its commitments to ensure the project meets its scheduled timeline.
The president also directed the government to intensify efforts to attract investments in the energy sector, develop the management of the national gas grid, and ensure stable energy supplies for both electricity and industrial sectors. Furthermore, he urged rapid progress on renewable energy projects to diversify energy sources, expand grid capacity, and modernize the network using advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce losses.