As part of the 'Your Health is Your Happiness' initiative aimed at supporting and promoting mental health, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population has launched the first network of specialized clinics for treating internet and video game misuse and addiction. Dr. Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the ministry, explained that the first phase of the project involves operating clinics within six major hospitals spread across a wide geographical area, covering Greater Cairo, the Delta, the Northern Coast, and Upper Egypt's provinces. Each clinic will operate one day a week, every 'Wednesday.' He added in an official statement that the new clinics receive all age groups and rely on a comprehensive treatment system that begins with early diagnosis through precise assessments to evaluate excessive usage patterns of the internet and video games, and to determine the safe number of hours for each age group. The system also includes digital assessment tools, such as surveys and specialized questionnaires, to measure the degree of addiction and identify the most suitable treatment plan, alongside extensive awareness campaigns through the National Platform for Mental Health and social media to warn about the dangers of 'digital addiction.' Meanwhile, Dr. Ayman Abbas, Head of the Central Administration for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, announced the completion of training for '120' doctors and clinic staff, aiming to ensure the provision of comprehensive therapeutic services according to the latest international protocols and standards, with a focus on enhancing the efficiency of specialized medical cadres. The Egyptian Ministry of Health emphasized that this initiative comes as part of an integrated plan to deal with modern mental health challenges amid rising rates of excessive digital use, which contributes to protecting the mental health of individuals and families, and enhancing community awareness about the risks of internet addiction and methods of prevention and treatment.
