Egyptian healthcare leader Dr. Ahmed El-Sabki recently met with Ambassador Mohamed Karim Shreef, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, to discuss strengthening healthcare and investment partnerships with African countries. The meeting aimed to leverage Egypt's medical capabilities to support health diplomacy and expand medical tourism. Egypt's experience in implementing a comprehensive health insurance system will also be shared to enhance the country's presence in Africa and create new cooperation opportunities.
Dr. El-Sabki expressed Egypt's readiness to launch initiatives supporting healthcare in Nile Basin and Horn of Africa countries through partnerships with Egyptian investors. These initiatives will utilize existing Egyptian projects in Africa, drawing on expertise in healthcare management, operation, governance, quality, and digital transformation. This approach aims to transfer Egypt's experience in comprehensive health insurance and build African capacity according to each country's needs.
Dr. El-Sabki highlighted that Egypt's Health Authority has the largest virtual hospital in Africa and the Middle East. This strategic asset will support Egyptian initiatives on the continent by providing specialized medical consultations remotely, training personnel, and exchanging expertise. The virtual hospital will also connect African health institutions with Egyptian medical expertise, expanding healthcare access for Africans.
The two officials also discussed medical tourism, with an initial agreement to prepare a joint working paper. This paper will outline a program for treating African patients in Egypt at reduced prices under the "We Take Care of You in Egypt" project. The program will identify priority markets and medical services, explore training mechanisms, and transfer Egyptian expertise to friendly nations.
Ambassador Shreef emphasized that medical and economic diplomacy are essential for enhancing Egyptian-African partnerships. He stressed the importance of utilizing development and investment opportunities according to each region's economic and social characteristics. These opportunities will be linked to Egypt's capabilities and expertise to achieve mutual benefits and support sustainable projects.
The Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs noted that Egypt's distinguished medical services and expertise, along with its healthcare and educational institutions' historical presence in Africa, offer opportunities to attract patients and develop relations with African health institutions. He highlighted the need for an international marketing identity for Egypt's distinguished medical services to showcase its competitive capabilities and enhance its presence in target markets.
The meeting concluded with an agreement in principle to prepare a joint working paper outlining priority countries and markets, mechanisms for implementing a reduced-price treatment program for African patients, and coordination with Egyptian embassies to bring in patients. The paper will also outline paths for training, transferring comprehensive health insurance experience, and developing health and investment alliances.
Key points
- Egypt's Health Authority is set to launch initiatives supporting healthcare in Nile Basin and Horn of Africa countries.
- A joint working paper will be prepared to outline a program for treating African patients in Egypt at reduced prices.
- Egypt aims to enhance its presence in Africa by sharing its experience in comprehensive health insurance and medical tourism.
