Cairo: Minister of Health and Population and Chairman of the National Council for Health Tourism Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar launched the National Platform for Health Tourism at the Grand Egyptian Museum. The launch ceremony was attended by members of the Council, ministers, governors, ambassadors, and representatives of relevant authorities. This step reflects Egypt's commitment to developing the health tourism sector and integrating it into a comprehensive digital system.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the Minister explained that while health tourism has existed in Egypt for decades, establishing a comprehensive national system provides the sector with a clear institutional framework that regulates the health tourist's journey, from visa procedures to receiving medical services and follow-up care. This will enhance Egypt's position as a regional and international hub in this field. Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Assistant Minister of Health and the Ministry's official spokesperson, affirmed that Egypt possesses a sophisticated healthcare and research system supported by highly qualified medical personnel and an institutional framework that adheres to international quality standards. He noted its advancement to 25th place globally in the SCIMAGO ranking of cited scientific research, up from 37th place less than ten years ago. He also highlighted the hundreds of facilities accredited by the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Control (GAHAR), and the fact th at Egyptian hospitals have received hundreds of thousands of international patients from 124 countries since 2019, reflecting international confidence in the Egyptian healthcare system.
For his part, Mr. Amr Sedky, Secretary-General of the National Council for Health Tourism, emphasized that Egypt offers tourists a comprehensive health and wellness tourism experience, blending rich cultural heritage with medical expertise and unique natural resources. He pointed out that the launch of the "Tour 4 Cure" platform represents a strategic step towards digitizing health tourism services and unifying the booking, logistics, and marketing systems, thereby enhancing the country's competitiveness and attracting more health tourists.
Mr. Salah Hatata, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solutions Company, explained that the platform represents the official and reliable digital gateway for medical tourists, managing the patient's journey comprehensively, from selecting a service provider, through travel and treatment procedures, to post-service follow-up. It also provides a comprehensive directory of hospitals, international partnerships, and a specialized team to ensure the highest quality standards.
Engineer Mahmoud Afifi, General Manager of Fixed Egypt, confirmed that the platform represents a qualitative leap in the digitization of services and the connection of all stakeholders through an advanced technological infrastructure that ensures easy access, increased operational efficiency, and an enhanced tourist experience.