Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi officially opened Africa Health ExCon, the continent’s largest medical exhibition, on Tuesday. In his address during the inauguration ceremony, President Sisi emphasised the importance of increased cooperation among African states to effectively address future health challenges. The event, held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, will run from June 7 to 9, showcasing healthcare products and services from numerous exhibitors.
President Sisi highlighted how the COVID-19 crisis exposed the vulnerabilities of Africa’s healthcare systems due to limited economic capabilities. However, he expressed optimism that through collaboration and coordination, the humble capabilities of African states could be significantly improved. He stressed the need for doubling the number of hospitals, medical professionals, and related facilities in Egypt, considering its population of 105 million.
Egypt’s initiatives to enhance healthcare conditions, such as the successful campaign against the hepatitis C virus, were also mentioned by President Sisi. These initiatives serve as stepping stones to gradually overcome the challenges faced by the most populous Arab country in its healthcare sector.
The inauguration ceremony of the second edition of Africa Health ExCon witnessed the presence of several Egyptian and African officials, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Jean Kaseya.
The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Your Gate to Innovation and Trade,” highlighting the importance of fostering innovation and facilitating trade in the healthcare industry.
The Africa Health ExCon provides a platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest medical technologies, products, and services. With hundreds of exhibitors participating, the event offers an opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring potential collaborations to strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.
President Sisi’s call for increased cooperation among African states reflects the growing recognition of the need for collective efforts in addressing healthcare challenges. By leveraging each other’s strengths and expertise, African nations can work towards building robust and resilient healthcare systems that cater to the needs of their populations.
