Gambiaj.com – (CAIRO, Egypt) – Egypt and The Gambia have agreed to strengthen bilateral health cooperation following high-level talks between Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, and Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, The Gambia’s Minister of Health.
The meeting, held at Egypt’s Ministry of Health headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, focused on expanding collaboration across clinical services, medical training, pharmaceuticals, and capacity building.
According to the ministry’s official spokesperson, Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, discussions centered on the inauguration of the first Egyptian medical center in Banjul—also the first of its kind in West Africa.
The facility is expected to provide comprehensive healthcare services that meet international standards, including emergency care, intensive care, neonatal services, and an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) department, a first for The Gambia.
Egyptian officials said the center represents a significant step in strengthening Egyptian-African health cooperation and improving access to advanced medical services in the sub-region.
The talks also explored plans to expand the center’s scope by introducing cancer treatment services and establishing a kidney dialysis unit.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar added that Egypt’s health minister instructed relevant authorities to study the deployment of specialized Egyptian medical teams to The Gambia to support the training of local doctors.
Cooperation in pharmaceuticals and medical supplies was another key agenda item. While noting progress in the entry of Egyptian medicines into the Gambian market, both sides reviewed challenges related to drug registration fees and regulatory procedures.
They agreed to continue working toward easing regulatory requirements to improve access to Egyptian medicines and deepen the health partnership.
In addition, the two ministers discussed broader collaboration in training and capacity building. Proposed initiatives include organizing Egyptian medical missions in various specialties—particularly cardiac surgery—and hosting Gambian fellows in Egypt for advanced training in oncology, general surgery, and cardiac and thoracic surgery, leveraging Egypt’s established medical expertise.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustained cooperation aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, building local capacity, and expanding access to specialized medical services in The Gambia.
