Egypt and Sweden held high-level talks on Wednesday aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in healthcare and accelerating the digital transformation of Egypt’s health sector, officials said.
Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with a delegation of Swedish healthcare representatives led by Sweden’s Minister for Health, Elisabeth Laan, at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting underscored the long-standing strategic relations between the two nations and focused on technology transfer, investment partnerships, and the exchange of expertise to enhance healthcare quality in Egypt.
Abdel Ghaffar highlighted Egypt’s achievements in public health, citing the country’s successful public-private partnership (PPP) models. Among these, he pointed to the hepatitis C eradication programme, widely regarded as a global benchmark, and the presidential “100 Million Health” initiatives, which have improved healthcare access and outcomes nationwide.
The discussions emphasized Egypt’s long-term reform agenda, including the nationwide rollout of the universal health insurance system. Swedish expertise was sought to support health system planning, sustainable hospital development, and digital health solutions, including electronic medical records, telemedicine platforms, AI-driven clinical decision support tools, and frameworks for health data governance and security.
Officials also discussed the modernization of hospitals and health services, with a focus on emergency and critical care, oncology, infection control, radiotherapy, and advanced medical imaging. The two sides explored structured PPPs as a mechanism to accelerate investment, improve operational efficiency, and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery.
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The Egyptian Health Ministry said the collaboration would aim to strengthen both technical capacity and institutional frameworks to support long-term healthcare reforms. Swedish representatives highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing and technology transfer to improve service quality, enhance patient outcomes, and introduce innovative digital solutions tailored to Egypt’s healthcare landscape.
“Digital transformation is critical for the sustainability of healthcare services,” Abdel Ghaffar said. “By leveraging technology and international expertise, we aim to expand access, reduce inefficiencies, and improve the overall quality of care for all Egyptians.”
The talks reflected a broader global trend toward incorporating digital tools into health systems. Telemedicine, unified electronic records, and AI-supported decision-making are increasingly seen as essential to enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and enabling data-driven policymaking. For Egypt, which is pursuing ambitious healthcare expansion targets, these technologies are expected to play a central role in modernizing hospitals and expanding coverage.
Senior officials from the Egyptian Drug Authority, the Unified Procurement Authority, and the Ministry of Health attended the meeting. Their participation signaled the comprehensive approach Egypt is taking, integrating regulatory, procurement, and clinical perspectives into the planning of future healthcare collaborations.
The discussions also highlighted potential investment opportunities for Swedish healthcare companies in Egypt, particularly in digital health, hospital modernization, and specialized care services. Officials emphasized that partnerships would prioritize both efficiency and sustainability, aligning with Egypt’s broader economic and social development goals.
The meeting is part of ongoing efforts by Egypt to enhance regional and international cooperation in healthcare. Swedish officials expressed readiness to support Egypt in adopting best practices, sharing innovative solutions, and scaling digital tools to strengthen the country’s health infrastructure.
As Egypt continues to expand its universal health insurance system and modernize hospitals nationwide, collaborations like this with Sweden are expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the healthcare landscape, improving accessibility, and ensuring that digital health solutions benefit citizens across the country.
