Egypt and Spain are exploring ways to strengthen cooperation in the health sector, with a particular focus on organ transplantation, medical training, and public health infrastructure, officials said Monday.
Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with Spain’s ambassador to Cairo, Sergio Romano Carranza Forrester, in a series of high-level discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral partnerships. The talks come as both countries look to leverage each other’s expertise to address evolving healthcare challenges and improve medical services.
During the meeting, Abdel Ghaffar underscored the long-standing ties between Egypt and Spain, noting that bilateral relations have gained momentum in recent years, particularly in healthcare, education, and humanitarian collaboration. “Spain has extensive experience in organ transplantation, advanced medical infrastructure, and specialised training programmes,” he said, adding that Egypt seeks to draw on this knowledge to expand its own organ transplant capabilities.
Spain is widely recognised for its successful organ donation and transplantation system, which consistently ranks among the best globally. The country’s approach combines high levels of donor registration, advanced hospital infrastructure, and professional training for medical personnel, offering a model for Egypt as it seeks to modernise its transplant sector. Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt hopes to benefit from Spanish expertise to improve its legal, technical, and operational frameworks, enhance training for surgeons and clinical staff, and expand the availability of transplant services across the country.
Beyond organ transplantation, the discussions included potential collaboration in ophthalmology. Officials highlighted a possible partnership between Spain’s Barraquer Hospital, one of Europe’s leading eye hospitals, and Egypt’s Memorial Institute of Ophthalmology. This initiative could support the development of specialized ophthalmology centres in Egypt, provide advanced surgical training, and expand patient access to modern eye care services.
Education and research were also central to the talks. Abdel Ghaffar and the Spanish ambassador discussed establishing branches of Spanish universities in Egypt, with programs in medicine, tourism, and international education. Such initiatives would aim to strengthen medical education, foster research collaboration, and align academic programs with the labor market needs of Egypt and the broader region. Coordination with Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education is planned to ensure academic and regulatory standards are met.
Humanitarian cooperation formed another key theme. Abdel Ghaffar praised Spain’s support for Palestinians in Gaza, particularly in the healthcare sector, noting that coordination would continue to meet the medical needs of Palestinian patients receiving treatment in Egypt. The Spanish ambassador reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to providing technical assistance, training support, and medical aid as part of the broader bilateral partnership.
The discussions reflect Egypt’s broader strategy to upgrade its health sector, which has focused on modernizing hospitals, expanding access to specialized care, and integrating international best practices. Spanish expertise is seen as a valuable complement to domestic initiatives aimed at improving patient outcomes, strengthening workforce capacity, and fostering research and innovation in medicine.
Officials said follow-up meetings and technical consultations are expected in the coming months to formalize cooperation agreements and outline detailed implementation plans for training programs, knowledge exchange, and institutional partnerships. Both sides emphasized that collaboration would prioritize long-term capacity building, inclusive access to healthcare, and sustainability.
With a population exceeding 110 million, Egypt faces significant demand for advanced medical services, including organ transplantation, ophthalmology, and emergency care. By tapping into Spain’s expertise and strengthening institutional ties, Egyptian authorities hope to expand access, improve quality of care, and advance health sector reforms that support national development objectives.
The meeting marks a significant step in cementing Egyptian-Spanish cooperation in health and education, highlighting the potential for international partnerships to enhance domestic capacity and deliver tangible benefits to patients in Egypt and the wider region.
