December 29, 2025

Under the auspices of Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of Assiut University, the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector at the Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the Assiut Chest Association, organized the ninth Community Environmental Day on Monday, December 29, under the theme “Cold-Related Illnesses and Their Prevention.” The event was held under the supervision of Professor Mohamed Ahmed Adawy, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development; Professor Alaa Attia, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the University Hospitals Board; Professor Hoda Makhlouf, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for Community Service and Environmental Development; and Professor Atef El-Qarn, President of the Assiut Chest Association and Coordinator of the event.

The activities were attended by Professor Khaled Abdel Aziz, Director of the Main University Hospital, alongside a distinguished group of faculty members, teaching assistants, nursing teams, and staff, reflecting the university’s commitment to promoting health awareness and serving the community.

The event featured a series of specialized scientific lectures addressing various aspects of cold-related illnesses. These included presentations on frequently asked questions about cold-related illnesses and guidance on their management, aimed at correcting misconceptions and enhancing health awareness among participants.

Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy emphasized that organizing the Community Environmental Day at the Faculty of Medicine reflects the vital role of the university in serving the community and promoting health awareness. He noted that raising awareness about cold-related illnesses and their prevention is a priority during this period due to their direct impact on public health.

The University President added that Assiut University is keen to leverage its scientific and medical expertise to support national efforts in disease prevention, in cooperation with civil society organizations and health authorities, helping to reduce health complications and promote a culture of prevention. He affirmed that the university will continue to support initiatives and events aimed at enhancing public health and improving quality of life.

Professor Mohamed Ahmed Adawy highlighted the importance of the Community Environmental Day in shedding light on cold-related illnesses and methods of prevention. He noted that the current spread of these illnesses has created what can be described as a “social alarm,” as many citizens face health complications due to lack of awareness and knowledge. He also praised the distinguished efforts of the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector at the Faculty of Medicine.

Professor Hoda Makhlouf confirmed the ongoing organization of the Community Environmental Day with the support of the university and faculty administration. She explained that the choice of this year’s topic coincides with the seasonal prevalence of cold-related illnesses, stressing the importance of health awareness and emphasizing that prevention is always better than treatment.

Professor Khaled Abdel Aziz noted the continuous cooperation between the university hospitals and the Faculty of Medicine’s Community Service and Environmental Development Sector to support health awareness efforts. He confirmed that the topic of the Community Environmental Day addresses key issues affecting community health, including the complications of cold-related illnesses and ways to prevent and manage them.

Professor Atef El-Qarn added that the event included a number of specialized lectures, such as “Viral Bronchitis and Pneumonia,” delivered by Dr. Lamiaa Shaaban, Professor of Chest Diseases at Assiut University, and “The Current Epidemiological Status of Infectious Respiratory Diseases in Assiut Governorate,” delivered by Dr. Lobna Ahmed, Deputy Director of Surveillance at the Assiut Health Directorate. These lectures provided a comprehensive scientific perspective on the nature of these diseases and methods for addressing them.