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Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population announced the launch of specialized outpatient clinics dedicated to treating internet and electronic gaming addiction, as part of the national mental health initiative Sehetak Saada (Your Health is Happiness).

According to Health Ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the first phase of the initiative includes six major mental health hospitals covering a wide geographical range across Greater Cairo, the Delta, Lower Egypt, and Upper Egypt. Each hospital will operate a specialized clinic once a week, every Wednesday.

The clinics will be available at Abbassia, Khanka, Maamoura (Alexandria), Demira (Dakahliya), Minya, and Assiut mental health hospitals.

According to the ministry, the clinics target all age groups and operate under an integrated strategy that includes early diagnosis through specialized assessments to evaluate excessive digital use.

This includes identifying “safe usage hours” for each age group, providing digital assessment tools through surveys, and administering an Internet Addiction Questionnaire to determine the appropriate treatment pathway.

The initiative is also accompanied by intensive awareness campaigns via the National Mental Health Platform and social media to highlight the risks associated with digital addiction.

Ayman Abbas, head of the General Secretariat of Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, said that 120 medical staff and clinic workers have already completed specialized training to ensure the delivery of integrated care in line with the latest international treatment protocols, with a focus on enhancing the efficiency of medical personnel.

Meanwhile, Sally Nuby, director of the National Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Platform, said the new clinics represent a crucial step in protecting social cohesion and developing human capital.

She urged citizens to benefit from the awareness and diagnostic services available through the national platform.

The ministry stressed that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address contemporary mental health challenges, particularly the growing prevalence of excessive digital use.

The aim, it said, is to safeguard the mental well-being of individuals and families while promoting public awareness of the risks, prevention, and treatment of digital addiction.

Source: Al-Ahram Online