Egyptian Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, met with UK Trade Envoy to Egypt, Yasmin Qureshi, and British Ambassador to Cairo, Gareth Bayley, on Tuesday to discuss strengthening bilateral healthcare cooperation and providing ongoing medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Minister Abdel Ghaffar reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles, emphasizing the country’s role in providing medical care to injured Palestinians and dispatching critical relief supplies to Gaza’s healthcare sector. He highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to treat wounded Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals and its support for Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the ministry’s spokesperson, reported that the meeting included a review of Egypt’s comprehensive plan to rebuild Gaza’s healthcare system. The plan outlines emergency measures from the onset of the war in October 2023, continuing through March 2025. Key topics included the number of Palestinian patients who have received medical treatment, the number of children vaccinated, and the operation of 150 ambulances stationed at the border for transporting the injured.
Discussions also addressed hospital admissions, the classification of diseases among displaced individuals, and the critical role of international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in supporting Gaza’s healthcare system.
The meeting also explored potential collaborations between Egypt and the UK to develop Gaza’s medical infrastructure, focusing on British expertise in oncology, diabetes treatment, and advancements in dental care. A proposal was introduced to strengthen healthcare partnerships through cooperation between AstraZeneca and Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority.
Qureshi expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s continued support of Palestine, commending Abdel Ghaffar’s leadership in delivering vital medical and humanitarian aid to Gaza. British Ambassador Gareth Bayley extended an invitation for Abdel Ghaffar to attend the upcoming British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) meeting in May, praising Egypt’s crucial role in aiding Gaza’s wounded and its ongoing humanitarian efforts.
