Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, talks with Zheng Zhe, Deputy Minister of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in localizing medical industries, manufacturing medicines and vaccines, digital transformation, exchanging expertise and medical training.
During the meeting, the minister also reviewed a proposal to establish a 350-bed Egyptian-Chinese hospital, with the participation of former health minister Hatem el Gabaly.
Spokesman for the Health Ministry Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the minister reaffirmed Egypt’s appreciation of its longstanding strategic relations with China and its aspiration to expand cooperation in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, localize the production of medical equipment and supplies, and benefit from Chinese expertise and technologies to strengthen Egypt’s healthcare system.
The meeting explored opportunities for cooperation in developing ambulance services through the exchange of expertise between the Egyptian Ambulance Authority and the Chinese side, as well as the provision of equipment and technologies used in ambulances.
Discussions also covered the potential localization of mobile X-ray equipment manufacturing in Egypt.
The minister noted that negotiations were underway with several Chinese companies to facilitate technology transfer and local production.
The minister called for increased Chinese investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, particularly in the manufacturing of medical equipment and supplies, which would create opportunities to expand into regional markets.
The two sides also discussed potential partnerships to equip hospitals currently being prepared for integration into the Universal Health Insurance System.
The minister expressed his aspiration to increase the number of short-term educational grants offered by China to train Egyptian physicians at Chinese medical institutions across various specialties, including digital transformation.
Regarding the proposed Egyptian-Chinese hospital, Gabaly outlined the project, which aims to establish a fully integrated 350-bed hospital through joint Egyptian-Chinese investment. The facility would rely on Chinese medical equipment, technology and expertise, while allocating part of its services to treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine.
The minister said the project represented a promising model of partnership that would go beyond providing medical services to encompass technology transfer and support for investment in Egypt’s healthcare sector.
For his part, Zheng expressed his country’s appreciation of Egypt’s standing, reaffirming China’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation and implementing existing agreements between the two countries.
He stressed the importance of continued coordination to identify priority areas and establish practical mechanisms for partnerships in medical manufacturing, ambulance services, digital transformation and medical training.
