Cablegate: Usaid Sponsors Mba Students From Ministry of Health And

VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #2143 1920821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 110821Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6086

UNCLAS CAIRO 002143

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID OEXC OVIP OPRC KPAO PGOV EG
SUBJECT: USAID SPONSORS MBA STUDENTS FROM MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
POPULATION

REF: CAIRO 1913

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.

1. (U) Summary. The Ambassador attended a July 2 media event with
Minister of Health and Population Dr. Hatem El-Gabaly and seven MOHP
employees who will attend USAID funded MBA programs in the U.S.
El-Gabaly plans a U.S. visit in December. End Summary.

2. (U) On July 2, the Ambassador attended a press event hosted by
Minister of Health and Population Hatem El-Gabaly to promote $2
million in USAID scholarships for seven MOHP employees to attend MBA
programs in the U.S. Another nine MOHP employees will go next year.
This MBA scholarship program is in response to El-Gabaly's request
to develop a cadre of business-minded professionals within the MOHP
to implement new paradigms in health care delivery. El-Gabaly wants
to send up to 500 MOHP employees on similar programs.

3. (U) With media present, El-Gabaly praised the USG-funded MBA
scholarships as a "really big thing for us" due to the "enormous
difference in thinking and leadership" that will result at MOHP.
El-Gabaly then praised the nearly USD 1 billion in USG aid over the
years for health programs that reached "the poorest of the poor and
changed their lives by improving their health." The Ambassador
remarked on USG and GOE partnership based on friendship and a mutual
interest in prosperity that often begins with good health. The
Minister and Ambassador took photos with the MBA students for the
assembled press. State-owned dailies, Al-Gomhouriya and Al-Akhbar,
ran front-page articles on July 3 with photos of the Minister and
Ambassador with the students. The report also ran on television.

--------------------------------------------- --------
Minister to visit U.S. - Requests High Level Meetings
--------------------------------------------- --------

4. (U) After the press conference, Econoff met an advisor to the
Minister, Dr. Mokhtar Warida, who sought Embassy's help to plan
meetings for the Minister's December 3-6 visit to the U.S. He
requested meetings with high-level contacts across the USG and asked
for suggestions for a private sector event. Post will send details
of the visit and meeting requests closer to the date.

5. (SBU) COMMENT: This was the second positive press event in two
days orchestrated by El-Gabaly. A leader in the "second generation"
of reformers, El-Gahaly is charged with improving health services
and reducing corruption in his massive bureaucracy. His appointment
last year reflected the Mubarak regime's acknowledgement that
reforms should extend to service ministries. The MBA initiative is
all one El-Gahaly's signature programs, aimed at introducing great
management and transparency to health services. Unlike other GOE
ministers El-Gahaly is embracing USG support and flagging it
publicly. He has had no difficulty generating positive press for
his partnership initiatives.
RICCIARDONE

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