Berlin:Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar held discussions with Philips CEO Roy Jakobs on strategies to enhance their strategic partnership, focusing on the localization of medical device manufacturing in Egypt and the advancement of healthcare technology to improve the country's healthcare system and service quality.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was conducted on the sidelines of the World Health Summit in Berlin. The discussions underscored the significance of collaborating with leading international companies to facilitate technology transfer, expand local manufacturing, and upgrade infrastructure, aligning with Egypt's aim to localize industry.

The Health Ministry Spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, indicated that the discussions included a proposal to manufacture medical devices locally through knowledge transfer and technical capacity building, thereby increasing domestic production. The proposal also aims to utilize Egypt's strategic position as a regional hub for exporting healthcare technology to Africa and the Middle East.

The dialogue encompassed developing specialized stroke treatment centers, enhancing early diagnosis capabilities, and establishing centers of excellence. Additionally, it focused on leveraging artificial intelligence, digital health solutions, telehealth, and remote patient monitoring to ensure continuous care.

Both parties also reviewed joint projects, such as the operation of nine cardiac catheterization systems, the development of a 3-tesla MRI system at Nasser Institute, and the supply of surgical imaging equipment. Ongoing initiatives include the provision of CT scanners, cardiac catheterization systems, surgical imaging equipment, portable echocardiography devices, and an MRI system in Minya.

The discussions further addressed cooperation in research and innovation with hospitals and universities in cardiology, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of healthcare services offered to citizens.