Cairo – Medical tourism moves around approximately USD 40 billion a year in Africa as per estimate made public by Egyptian-African Businessmen Association (EABA) chairman Yousrey El-Sharkawi. He spoke at the second edition of the African Medical Tourism Congress held in Gammarth, Tunisia, from November 25 through 27, featuring 27 African, Arab and European countries. Pictured, a thalassotherapy session in Tunisia.
El-Sharkawi said the conference would be the beginning of strong boost in the industry in Tunisia, stressing that the country has a long history and experience in medical tourism. He said Tunisia is one of the region’s countries that stand out and are strongly competitive at a global level. This year’s edition of the congress arrived with great challenges both economically and at new medicine and public health level that is the post-coronavirus healthcare. El-Sharkawi said the tourism industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
EABA has offices in 15 East and Southern Africa. El-Sharkawi pointed out that Egypt took over last week the presidency of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), an economic community with 21 member states, and said that this is the time for Africa to take on a relevant, decision-making role in the medical tourism industry.
“We’re here to turn over a new leaf in medical tourism in Africa, hoping that all healthcare and therapeutic services providers join the program to get together for a new beginning and the future in store for the African continent, especially in light of the great potentials that the countries in the continent have and the great return on investment in this industry,” he said.
El-Sharkawi stressed that Tunisia and North Africa has had a very long history with the European Union to develop medical tourism, but the results are not what they could be. The path to Africa should start with Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa, he said.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
