Egypt's Healthcare Authority (EHA) is preparing healthcare initiatives for African countries and a reduced-price treatment program for African patients in Egypt. The EHA chairman, Ahmed El-Sobky, announced this after talks with the Egyptian foreign ministry. The initiatives aim to target Nile Basin countries, the Horn of Africa, and southern Africa through partnerships with Egyptian investors.
The proposed initiatives will draw on Egyptian projects already operating in Africa and the authority's experience in managing healthcare facilities, quality standards, and digital services. The plan also includes training African medical staff and sharing Egypt's experience with its universal health insurance system. An Egyptian mission to Kenya earlier this year performed surgeries and trained local healthcare professionals.
The EHA plans to use its virtual hospital to provide specialist consultations remotely, train staff, and connect African healthcare institutions with Egyptian doctors. The virtual hospital in Ismailia is set for an official opening. Under the proposed treatment program, a joint plan will identify priority countries and medical services, examine reduced prices, and coordinate with Egyptian embassies to bring patients to Egypt.
The joint plan will also set out stages for training, investment partnerships, and the use of remote consultations, based on each country's needs. Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs Mohamed Karim Sharif emphasized that medical and economic diplomacy are central to Egypt's partnerships with African countries. He urged officials to align Egyptian expertise and investment opportunities with each region's economic and social conditions.
Sharif highlighted that Egypt's medical and educational institutions can help attract patients and deepen cooperation with African healthcare providers. He called for an international marketing identity for Egyptian medical services and said the plans would require coordinated work on visas, travel, air links, treatment, and accommodation. The proposal will build on the authority's existing international patient program.
The EHA's existing international patient program has treated over 24,000 patients from 97 countries under the "We Care for You in Egypt" brand since its inception. The authority has also developed hospital accommodation for patients as part of its medical tourism plans. Egypt is preparing to extend insurance coverage through the second phase of its universal health insurance system, which the authority has proposed sharing as a model with African partners.
The EHA and the foreign ministry will work together to implement the proposed initiatives, which aim to strengthen Egypt's partnerships with African countries in the healthcare sector. The plans are expected to be implemented in partnership with Egyptian investors and will focus on providing quality healthcare services to African patients.
Key points
- Egypt's Healthcare Authority plans to target Nile Basin countries, the Horn of Africa, and southern Africa with its healthcare initiatives.
- The proposed treatment program will identify priority countries and medical services, examine reduced prices, and coordinate with Egyptian embassies to bring patients to Egypt.
- Egypt's universal health insurance system will be shared as a model with African partners.
