3rd Africa Health ExCon Aims to Tackle African Health Challenges and Localize Medical Industries

The 3rd Africa Health ExCon medical conference and exhibition commenced in Egypt on Monday, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The event, themed 'Your Gateway to Innovation and Trade,' aims to localize medical industries and address pressing health challenges across Africa.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Health and Population Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghafar, and Major General Doctor Baha Zidan, head of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Purchase Medical Supply and Medical Administration and Medical Technology Management, were among the key attendees. The conference attracted over 1,200 Egyptian speakers, 150 international speakers, and 300 foreign delegates, with more than 368 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors from over 100 countries expected to participate.

Organized by the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and Technology Management (UPA), the event aims to boost trade exchange among African countries in line with the African Union's 2063 agenda. Adel Al-Adawi, former Minister of Health and Population and President of the Egyptian Medical Association, emphasized the importance of this year's edition, stating, 'We are proud to announce... These numbers reflect our commitment to providing high-quality scientific content that enhances medical knowledge in Egypt and across Africa.'

The exhibition featured various pavilions, including Egypt Pharma City, which showcased high-quality medicines manufactured at lower prices than imported products. Prime Minister Madbouli was briefed on the project's efforts to strengthen healthcare security levels and its plans to expand exports to new markets in the Arab, African, European, and American regions.

Why this matters: The localization of medical industries and addressing African health challenges can have a significant impact on the continent's economic development and public health. If successful, this initiative could lead to improved healthcare outcomes, increased access to medical products, and reduced reliance on imported goods.

The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) highlighted the establishment of the Arab African company for the production of medical materials and wafers, including factories for surgical sutures and medical syringes. An agreement with a Chinese company was announced to produce X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging devices.

The Arab Company for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies (ACDI) showcased its 48 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries. The company produces 1,200 pharmaceutical preparations and aims to localize raw materials industries to reduce the import bill. An ACDI official noted, 'We have major projects and we are always eager to produce medicines that are imported and suffer from shortages in the markets.'

The conference also included a meeting between Egypt's Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, and the Director General of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), John Cassia. They discussed future cooperation, particularly in localizing the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry, and emphasized the need for an electronic platform for African countries to communicate their medicine needs.

The 3rd Africa Health ExCon conference and exhibition marks a significant effort to address African health challenges and localize medical industries. The event provides a platform for showcasing the latest medical products and technologies from around the world, with the aim of strengthening the medical economy and promoting sustainable development.

Key Takeaways

• The 3rd Africa Health ExCon conference and exhibition commenced in Egypt, aiming to localize medical industries and address African health challenges.
• The event attracted 1,200 Egyptian speakers, 150 international speakers, and 300 foreign delegates from over 100 countries.
• The exhibition featured pavilions showcasing local medical products, including Egypt Pharma City, which offers high-quality medicines at lower prices.
• The conference aimed to boost trade exchange among African countries, in line with the African Union's 2063 agenda.
• The event focused on localizing medical industries, reducing reliance on imported goods, and improving healthcare outcomes across Africa.