The Local Development Unit of the Coptic Evangelical Organization has implemented the first consultative session as part of the activities of the project to protect children and pregnant women from the effects of lead exposure. This session involved participation from partner entities and stakeholders concerned with the issue. The session included representatives from the Ministry of Health, the National Nutrition Institute, Giza Governorate, Ain Shams University, media outlets, and civil society organizations in the local communities covered by the project in Greater Cairo (Qalyubia, Cairo, Giza).

The project’s goal is to raise community awareness at the individual, family, and institutional levels across various fields, to promote positive practices for protecting the most vulnerable groups from lead poisoning, especially children and pregnant women. This is achieved by providing information to these groups and working to increase awareness, with the participation of 15 institutions from various sectors (governmental, civil, and private) in supporting the mitigation of current and anticipated risks of lead poisoning in the targeted local communities.

The project also aims to increase the knowledge of medical staff in health institutions about the risks of lead poisoning, prevention and treatment methods, as well as to raise awareness among workshop owners and professions that cause environmental pollution, particularly lead poisoning, and its negative impact on public health and the environment, and means of reduction and prevention.

It is expected that 3,000 citizens, especially children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, will benefit from lead screenings and information on lead poisoning prevention methods in the targeted communities.