The Ivorian Minister of Health Pierre Dimba received the equipment in the presence of Dr. Elie Keli, head of the Department of General, Digestive, and Endocrine Surgery at the hospital, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.

The health minister expressed his government’s gratitude for the gift, praising cooperation with Egypt as “a role model for South-South cooperation.”

He also stressed that they will make best use of this equipment to treat the largest possible number of patients.

Badawy stated that the aid is part of the medical cooperation between Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire, which included an Egyptian medical team performing the first liver transplant in West Africa at the same hospital in December 2021.

Consequently, Cote d'Ivoire became the third African country to perform a liver transplant, following Egypt and South Africa, the syndicate said.

Earlier on Saturday, Badawy was received by Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara in a farewell meeting marking the conclusion of his tenure as Egypt's ambassador, according to a separate statement by the Egyptian ministry.

The Foreign Minister of Côte d'Ivoire Kandia Camara granted Badawi a medal and a commemorative plaque in appreciation of his efforts.

The Ivorian president praised the expanding cooperation between Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire, expressing his desire to continue strengthening bilateral relations. He called on more Egyptian companies and investors to enter the Ivorian market in light of the available economic opportunities.