As part of the activities of its 30th International Scientific Conference, the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University hosted a panel discussion on Thursday, May 8, 2025, titled “Digital and Technological Applications in Health Communication: Arab Experiences (2).” The panel was held under the broader theme of the conference, “Health Communication and Empowering Contemporary Communities.”

The session was chaired and moderated by Dr. Amani Reda, Assistant Professor at the faculty, with Dr. Sayed Abou Shaisha serving as rapporteur. It featured a distinguished lineup of Arab media scholars who discussed the evolving landscape of health communication in the digital age.

Dr. Sami El-Sherif, Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at MTI University, emphasized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in highlighting the vital role of digital health communication. “The virus did not discriminate between developed and developing nations—it underscored the global urgency to advance digital health systems,” he said. Dr. El-Sherif noted that countries like Saudi Arabia are leading the Arab world in digital health services through platforms such as Sehhaty, while the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan also show strong progress. In Egypt, the Ministry of Health has initiated a unified digital patient record system and launched the Sehatak application.

However, he also pointed to several challenges, including limited digital infrastructure, lack of sufficient training, weak ethical frameworks for doctor-patient communication online, and absence of regulatory legislation to govern digital transformation in healthcare.

Dr. Soheir Saleh, Dean of the Higher Institute of Media at Al-Shorouk Academy, highlighted Egypt’s growing interest in digital health, referencing initiatives such as the 100 Million Healthy Lives campaign and the Sehet Misr app. She underscored the increasing role of private sector apps like Vezeeta and Shefaa in expanding access to medical services, noting that while Egypt is not yet a leader in the field, it has made notable strides in recent years.

Dr. Haitham Abdel Rahman, Dean of the College of Mass Communication at Umm Al Quwain University in the UAE, spoke about the Emirati experience, describing how the country laid the foundations for digital health early in the 2000s. With apps like Doctor for Every Citizen and awareness campaigns across social media, approximately 70% of Emirati youth now rely on digital platforms for medical advice. He emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in diagnostics and treatment, highlighting the use of social influencers in health awareness and coordination between hospitals during emergencies.

Adding to this, Dr. Wafaa Tharwat, Professor at Umm Al Quwain University, discussed the UAE’s pioneering role in integrating AI and the Internet of Things into healthcare. She highlighted key initiatives such as the Virtual Doctor 3D system and the Digital Health Monitoring Platform, designed for respiratory disease tracking and early intervention. She also noted the country’s adoption of robotic surgeries and advanced genetic screening programs to promote preventive healthcare.

Dr. Ahd Maher, Assistant Professor at Umm Al Quwain University, shed light on the challenges of health communication in Palestine. Despite harsh political and economic realities, the Palestinian government has introduced the Sehhaty app to support health services. However, limited infrastructure, frequent shortages of medical supplies, and restricted access due to military checkpoints continue to hinder effective healthcare delivery. He noted the role of international support and digital health platforms in offering some relief, despite facing continuous security risks.

The panel concluded with the honoring of participating speakers in recognition of their contributions.

The 30th International Conference of the Faculty of Mass Communication is being held on May 7–8, 2025, at the faculty premises, under the patronage of Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University. The event is organized under the supervision of Dr. Thuraya El-Badawy, Dean of the Faculty and Conference Chair, and Dr. Wissam Nasr, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research and Conference Secretary-General. The conference brings together leading academics, researchers, and media professionals to discuss the transformative role of health communication in contemporary society.