Egypt Healthcare Authority inks agreements with regional healthcare players in medical tourism push

Just what the doctor ordered: The Egypt Healthcare Authority (EHA) yesterday inked three cooperation protocols with local and regional healthcare players as part of a wider plan to grow the local medical tourism industry, it said in a statement. The agreements were signed at the Egypt Health Tourism International Conference that wrapped yesterday.

The details: TheEHA inked two agreements with Dubai-headquartered LGA Group that was first established in Egypt and local healthcare services company New Master Integrated Healthcare Activities. The third was signed with Uganda-based travel agency Voyager Global Solutions (VGS) and local firm Lotus Medical Tourism. The agreements will see EHA “exchange experiences and knowledge with international partners and enhance the promotion of medical tourism programs in Egypt,” EHA Chairman Ahmed El Sobky said.

The bigger picture: Egypt is developing a plan to work with the private sector to turnSharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Safaga, New Alamein, Ras El Hekma, and other cities in the country into centers of medical tourism, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said in a speech at the same conference.

The why: Egypt has been trying to position itself as a medical tourism hub to attract FDI and to open fresh FX revenue streams from patients from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe coming here for treatment on the back of our talented and well-trained medical staff and the competitive price point Egyptian hospitals can offer.

ICYMI: Maxim Investment Group is currently working to set up Egypt’s first medical resort through its EGP 1.5 bn Naya Wellness Resort project in the El Saf Investment Zone in Giza governorate. The 40-feddan resort is set to house the typical medical facilities — medical clinics, laboratories, and cosmetic clinics — as well as hotels, restaurants, and spaces for hosting events and workshops.