Egypt’s health minister held talks on Saturday with the first Egyptian to lead the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology on expanding medical training and co-operation across Africa.
Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met Hatem Galal Zaki, an orthopaedic surgery professor at Assiut University, following Zaki’s appointment as president of the society, known as SICOT, for the 2026–2028 term.
The two discussed possible international training and fellowship opportunities for orthopaedic surgeons working in health ministry hospitals, using the society’s network and training centres.
They also discussed whether Egyptian hospitals could serve as regional training centres for orthopaedic surgeons from other African countries, in co-operation with SICOT.
Zaki said he hoped to use his position to support Egypt’s health system and strengthen co-operation with the ministry.
He is the first person from Africa or the Middle East to lead the society since its founding in 1929.
