Come to Egypt to get better. Such is the invitation from Dr Ahmed Taha, who is head of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR).
GAHAR has teamed up with Temos International GmbH, a German-based organisation that develops tailor-made accreditation programmes with specific standards for hospitals, clinics, and outpatient care centres.
Dr Taha’s remarks came during his `meeting on Thursday with Temos CEO Dr Claudia Mika at GAHAR headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
GAHAR is has plans to increase Egypt’s market share of medical tourism in the Arab world and African, Taha said, adding that the A-Z of therapeutic tourism is taken care of from doctors to treatment costs.
“Egypt has highly-qualified doctors, excellent hospitals and, during your convalescence, you can take in the ancient sights in moderate weather, which qualify this country as a prime international destination for medical travel,” he said.
In 2022, Egypt ranked 4th in the Middle East and 26th worldwide on the Medical Tourism Index.
Dr Taha noted that Egypt is “well and truly on the map of global medical tourism” now that GAHAR, in partnership with Temos, have issued standards of accreditation for medical tourism.
Patients are looking for the best in clinical practice and treatment, as well as total care services from the moment patients step off (or are wheeled off) the plane until their departure.
GAHAR’s accreditation standards are aimed at continual improvement to keep raising the quality of care to unprecedented levels, Dr Taha enthused.
For her part, Dr Mika said: “The presence of a number of international companies in the New Administrative Capital will surely promote medical tourism in Egypt as international medical insurance companies will refer foreign patients working in the NAC to excellent Egyptian health facilities.”
Dr Mika praised GAHAR as the first Egyptian accreditation body for health care services, which has made great achievements since its establishment.
“The Universal Health Insurance system that is currently being applied in Egypt is considered a necessary step towards improving the healthcare system in the country.
“This prompted Temos to work closely with GAHAR to raise the healthcare quality and safety to serve domestic and international patients, including medical travelers,” she said.
