Ahmed Elsobky, chairperson of Egypt's Healthcare Authority, met with Ulric Shannon, Canada's ambassador to Egypt, to explore expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple healthcare sectors. The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships and leverage global expertise for Egypt's ongoing healthcare reform programme. Elsobky emphasized the authority's commitment to adopting advanced Canadian medical and digital technologies in the second phase of the Universal Health Insurance System.
In the meeting, Elsobky highlighted the authority's strategy to accelerate digital transformation, enhance operational efficiency, and improve healthcare service quality in line with international standards. Potential collaboration areas included continuous medical education and training via expert exchange programmes, as well as twinning initiatives with specialised Canadian medical centres, particularly in oncology, to advance cancer treatment services and adopt recognised international medical protocols.
Discussions also addressed expanding medical tourism cooperation to bolster Egypt's role as a regional hub for advanced healthcare, including specialised packages for the Canadian community in Universal Health Insurance governorates, especially tourist spots like Luxor, Aswan, and South Sinai. Furthermore, the parties explored speeding up green transformation in the healthcare sector through environmentally sustainable practices in medical facilities, improved energy efficiency, and support for more resilient health systems.
Both sides agreed to hold a specialised workshop under the patronage of the Canadian Embassy, involving representatives from the Healthcare Authority, Canadian counterparts, and Canadian companies in Egypt. The workshop will promote public-private partnership models and draw on Canada's experience in healthcare investment, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange. Elsobky noted that the second phase of the Universal Health Insurance System will cover 65 hospitals and 450 primary healthcare units, stressing the need for international expertise transfer to ensure high-quality services and citing the Canadian model as a successful example of public-private integration.
Ambassador Shannon reaffirmed that deepening ties with Egypt is a priority for Canada and expressed interest in broadening healthcare cooperation amid opportunities from the Universal Health Insurance System. He added that Canadian companies in Egypt hold advanced expertise in digital medical records management, telemedicine, and AI-powered diagnostics, which could boost efficiency, improve diagnostic accuracy, and expand service access, especially in remote areas.