Renowned Egyptian heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub has affirmed that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental human right, stressing that humanity and innovation are essential to advancing healthcare and meeting patients’ needs.
Yacoub, founder of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, made the remarks during the opening session of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, which opened in Cairo with more than 10,000 participants from over 70 countries and will run until Sunday.
He highlighted the growing importance of social responsibility among organisations and businesses, noting that many communities around the world continue to suffer from poverty and inadequate healthcare services.
Yacoub stressed that improving people’s lives should be a top priority for businesses and institutions.
He also pointed to significant disparities in heart disease rates across countries and communities, attributing them to factors such as poverty and limited access to quality healthcare.
Addressing global health challenges requires coordinated efforts by governments, civil society organisations, businesses and individuals to improve living conditions and strengthen healthcare services, he said.
Yacoub emphasised that medical innovation must remain focused on human needs, delivering practical solutions to health challenges while enhancing patients’ quality of life. He underscored the vital role of science, research and innovation in serving communities.
He further called for stronger collaboration between sectors and institutions, as well as greater use of scientific and technological capabilities to reduce healthcare inequalities and expand access to better healthcare services worldwide.
