Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, officially announced the launch of the National Medical Tourism Platform during his participation in the third meeting of the National Council for Medical Tourism.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch ceremony, held at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the minister said the new platform represents a comprehensive 360-degree integrated system that has been developed over the past two years to provide a seamless and unique medical and tourism experience.
The platform is designed to meet the needs of international patients from around the world, as well as Egyptians living abroad. It supports users throughout the entire healthcare journey—from planning medical treatment and booking appointments at accredited clinics, hospitals, medical centers, and rehabilitation facilities, to facilitating visa procedures and entry through Cairo International Airport in coordination with the relevant authorities. It also helps organize hotel accommodations, transportation, and tourism activities.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar explained that the platform's launch reflects the strong capabilities of Egypt’s healthcare sector, including its advanced infrastructure, highly qualified medical professionals, and competitive treatment costs compared with many other countries. He added that global spending on medical tourism is estimated at approximately EGP 6.8 trillion annually.
Regarding how the platform operates, the minister explained that the National Council for Medical Tourism serves as a coordinating body that brings together all relevant government sectors under one umbrella. Its members include representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Civil Aviation, Tourism and Antiquities, Local Development, Youth and Sports, and Higher Education, in addition to sovereign authorities responsible for issuing the necessary approvals. This coordination is intended to ensure that medical tourists receive a high-quality, integrated experience from arrival to departure.
Discussing the target markets, the minister said the platform will initially focus on countries that have traditionally sent patients to Egypt, particularly African countries, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, whose citizens frequently visit during the summer holidays, and Eastern European countries.
Looking ahead, the platform also aims to collaborate with international health insurance companies to help reduce long waiting lists in many countries. Participation in the platform, however, is limited to healthcare institutions and hospitals that have obtained either international accreditation or national accreditation through the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR).
The minister added that the platform does not impose complicated requirements on patients seeking treatment. European citizens and nationals of Arab countries can register easily and obtain visas either in advance or upon arrival.
Regarding promotion and marketing, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar said that the State Information Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will publicize the platform through Egyptian embassies abroad and international websites, as well as distribute information to global news agencies. He noted that this promotional effort will not place any financial burden on the government because the platform was developed in partnership with the private sector, which receives a share of the revenue from treated cases. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health will serve as the regulator and supervisor, ensuring service quality, protecting the rights of patients and healthcare providers, and preventing unregulated practices.
Source: Al-Ahram Portal
