Egyptian humanitarian and healthcare advocate Heba El Sewedy has been honored by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, receiving the Director-General’s Award for Global Health in recognition of her contributions to burn care, humanitarian work, and public health.
The award was presented by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the opening session of the annual assembly, which brings together health leaders and ministers from around the world to discuss global healthcare priorities. Heba El Sewedy was recognized alongside several international health figures for her lifetime achievements and impact on healthcare and community wellbeing.
WHO highlighted El Sewedy’s role as the founder and chairwoman of the Ahl Masr Foundation, which has pioneered specialized treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness programs for burn survivors in Egypt. Through the foundation’s work, thousands of patients have received medical and psychological support, while initiatives have also focused on prevention, social reintegration, and humanitarian assistance.
The recognition also reflects the growing international attention on Egypt’s efforts in specialized burn treatment. The foundation’s affiliated burn hospital has become one of the largest specialized facilities of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, contributing to significant improvements in patient survival and recovery rates.
In addition to her healthcare work, El Sewedy has been involved in humanitarian initiatives supporting vulnerable communities and victims of regional conflicts. WHO described her efforts as a model of compassionate, people-centered healthcare that combines medical treatment with dignity, rehabilitation, and long-term support for patients and their families.
The award marks another international milestone for El Sewedy, whose work has received recognition both regionally and globally for advancing healthcare access and improving the lives of burn survivors across Egypt and beyond.
