Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, received on Sunday, April 12, Dr. Hisham Stait, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and the Management of Medical Technology (UPA), The meeting aimed to explore ways to strengthen joint cooperation in supporting the health security system and expanding the access of Egyptian pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to external markets, particularly in Africa.
Minister Abdelatty emphasized that the pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector represents one of the key pillars for strengthening Egypt’s cooperation with African countries, in light of Egypt’s advanced industrial capabilities and regulatory expertise.
The Minister highlighted the importance of building on the progress achieved in developing the national pharmaceutical system and enabling African countries to obtain preferential advantages in purchasing medical supplies and medicines.
Dr. Abdelatty also stressed the importance of identifying the actual needs of African markets, which would promote Egypt’s ability to meet those needs, strengthen its role as a regional hub for medical and pharmaceutical industries, and contribute to achieving regional and continental health security.
For his part, Dr. Hisham Stait reviewed UPA’s efforts to develop the unified procurement system and improve the efficiency of medical resource management, as well as to support the localization of medical industries and boost the state’s readiness to deal with health crises.
He noted UPA’s keenness to expand cooperation with African partners in a way that supports the achievement of shared health security.
The two sides also discussed the importance of continuing to bolster cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, (Africa CDC) in support of continental efforts in epidemic response and enhancing the preparedness of health systems.
They further reviewed ongoing preparations for the upcoming edition of the African medical exhibition and conference “Africa Health ExCon,” as a key platform for fostering partnerships between governments and the private sector, supporting integration in the fields of medical and pharmaceutical industries across the continent, promoting the exchange of expertise, developing procurement and supply systems, and enhancing African countries’ capacity to respond to health emergencies.
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