Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply and Technology Management (AUPP) Bahaa Zidan said the the 1st Africa Health ExCon is a platform for dialogue among African states to exchange expertise and coordinate efforts with international companies to help drawing up solutions for health problems in Africa.
He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing the three-day conference which is held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
He noted that President Sisi directed to hold the conference annually in line with the Egypt Vision 2030 which backs the development of the African Union.
Zidan also said the establishment of the AUPP is one of the mechanisms adopted by the Egyptian government to develop the healthcare mechanism through entrenching medical technology principles and localizing medical industry.
This helps to ensure the sustainability of healthcare services under the international standards, he said.
He noted that the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s to have safe strategic reserve of all medical needs, including equipment and medicine, had a great impact in overcoming the coronavirus crisis and the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war which affected supply chains worldwide.
He added that the authority managed to secure for all hospitals nationwide medical needs at high quality and suitable prices, thus succeeding to realize social justice for all citizens.
“The authority seeks to have regional ties with an aim to realize integrated and common benefits among African people, especially in the field of healthcare systems and relevant industries.” Zidan said.
He said the ExCon is the first practical step to achieve integration and review African states’ potentials in order to promote inter-trade.
He added that this will help lure foreign direct investments in the health sector.
He noted that CardioAlex – the largest and most important educational conference specialized in cardiovascular field – will be held in Alexandria on June 7-9. It will be complementary to the current event.
He said the authority will spare no effort to cooperate with its partners to render the ExCon successful to open the door for more activities and projects aiming at promoting national healthcare systems.
At the end of his speech, he thanked Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and heads of Egyptian government agencies, universities and scientific associations for organizing ExCon as well as all participating international and local companies.
He also thanked African health ministers for attending the get-together.
