Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar took part on Sunday in a panel discussion on the sidelines of the seventh Egyptians Abroad Conference, held under the theme “No Matter How Far We Are, Egypt Brings Us Together”.
Abdel Ghaffar reaffirmed the vital role of Egyptians living overseas in supporting the country’s development.
Egyptians abroad have long been key partners in supporting the Egyptian state, particularly during periods when the national economy required the collective efforts of all its citizens, the minister told the session.
Their continued contributions reflect their strong connection to their homeland and enduring commitment to its development, he said.
Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt’s healthcare sector had undergone unprecedented transformation over the past 14 years under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He cited major investments in healthcare infrastructure, the launch of nationwide presidential public health initiatives covering all age groups, and the phased expansion of the Universal Health Insurance System.
Abdel Ghaffar stressed that Egyptians abroad had played an integral role in this progress, with Egyptian scientists, medical experts and consultants contributing their expertise to the development of the healthcare system.
He noted that many Egyptian doctors working overseas regularly return to Egypt to perform complex medical procedures, transfer knowledge and train healthcare professionals.
The minister added that access to medical treatment in many countries is closely tied to health insurance systems. In response, the ministry has introduced initiatives aimed at providing high-quality healthcare services to Egyptians living abroad during their visits to Egypt.
He highlighted the “Your Treatment in Egypt” initiative, which enables Egyptians abroad to access medical services more quickly, as well as the launch of the Tour 4 Cure platform, Egypt’s national digital platform dedicated to medical and health tourism services.
Abdel Ghaffar also underscored the strength of Egypt’s pharmaceutical industry, describing it as one of the oldest and largest in Africa and the Middle East. He said the country is home to around 180 pharmaceutical factories and more than 1,000 production lines, enabling domestic manufacturers to meet approximately 91% of local pharmaceutical demand.
