Egypt, UK ramp up Gaza aid, deepen healthcare ties

Egypt and the United Kingdom are stepping up medical and humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza. In a high-level meeting, Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met on Tuesday with UK Trade Envoy to Egypt, MP Yasmin Qureshi, and British Ambassador to Cairo Gareth Bayley to discuss relief efforts and future collaboration.

Minister Abdel Ghaffar reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to supporting Gaza’s healthcare system, emphasising ongoing efforts to receive injured Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals and provide urgent medical supplies. He detailed Egypt’s emergency response since the war began in October 2023, which includes treating thousands of patients, vaccinating displaced children, and deploying 150 ambulances at the border for critical care.

The discussions also covered disease classification among displaced Palestinians and the role of international organisations like the World Health Organisaiton (WHO) and UNICEF in strengthening Gaza’s medical infrastructure. Both sides explored potential UK-Egypt partnerships in Gaza’s healthcare reconstruction, aiming to enhance medical services in the war-torn enclave.

MP Yasmin Qureshi commended Egypt’s leadership in humanitarian relief, praising its pivotal role in facilitating medical assistance to Gaza. She also lauded Egypt’s proactive engagement in Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.

British Ambassador Gareth Bayley invited Minister Abdel Ghaffar to attend the upcoming British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) meeting in London next May, applauding Egypt’s continued humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

The meeting also addressed broader healthcare collaboration between Egypt and the UK, particularly in cancer treatment, diabetes management, and dental care. Officials also discussed a proposed partnership between AstraZeneca and Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority to enhance pharmaceutical and medical cooperation.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English