The delegation, led by Sweden’s Minister for Healthcare, Elisabet Lann, included senior representatives from the Swedish Government, Swecare, Business Sweden, and regional leaders from major Swedish healthcare companies.
The visit marks a significant step toward expanding collaboration between Egypt and Sweden in medical innovation, digital health, hospital development, and humanitarian healthcare support.
Participating Swedish companies included Arjo, which specializes in patient mobility and care solutions, AstraZeneca, a science‑driven biopharmaceutical firm, Elekta, a global provider of precision radiation therapy solutions, Getinge, known for advanced operating room and ICU systems, and Skåne Care, offering healthcare consulting and hospital development expertise.
The Swedish side explored opportunities to contribute to Egypt’s healthcare transformation and expand collaboration in areas of shared interest.
Strategic healthcare cooperation
A major highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in health and medicine between Sweden and Egypt. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the signing ceremony, which marks a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties.
The MoU is designed to modernize the medical sector by opening new pathways for collaboration in digital health, medical training, and hospital development. It also focuses on patient safety and resilient healthcare infrastructure, reflecting a shared commitment to co-creating sustainable, people-centered solutions.
To facilitate these objectives, Swedish Healthcare Minister Elisabet Lann held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. Their discussion focused on aligning Swedish expertise with Egypt’s healthcare reform priorities.
The ministerial talks were followed by a roundtable involving Egyptian institutions and Swedish companies. These sessions focused on opportunities for collaboration in hospital infrastructure and medical technology, aiming to integrate private sector innovation into the national reform agenda.
Furthering these efforts, the delegation met with Dr. Ahmed El-Soubky, President of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority. This meeting served to explore specific possibilities for deepened cooperation within the framework of Egypt's evolving healthcare system.
Humanitarian coordination and Gaza
The visit's programme also featured a strong focus on regional stability. Minister Lann and the delegation held extensive meetings with United Nations representatives, including UN Resident Coordinator Elena Panova and UNICEF Regional Director Natalia Winder Rossi.
The discussions with international partners, including WHO Representative Dr. Nima Abid and WFP Country Director Samer Abdeljaber, centered on regional humanitarian health needs. A particular emphasis was placed on emergency response and potential areas for deeper cooperation related to the developments in Palestine.
Minister Lann also met with representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. These engagements were designed to synchronize international aid efforts with local requirements.
The delegation further coordinated with the Egyptian Red Crescent, led by Dr. Amal Emam. This meeting allowed the two sides to exchange perspectives on humanitarian coordination and the organization’s ongoing crisis-response activities in the region.
Field visits and commitment to care
Minister Lann visited several hospitals in Cairo that receive support from Sweden and Swedish companies. These visits allowed the Minister to witness the practical application of Swedish medical contributions within the Egyptian system.
During these visits, Lann underscored Sweden’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s healthcare reforms. She emphasized Sweden's readiness to contribute to Egypt's efforts to provide humanitarian health assistance and protect civilians in conflict zones.
The Minister specifically addressed the ongoing crisis in Gaza, noting that Sweden is committed to supporting Egypt’s efforts to provide care for patients arriving from the strip. This humanitarian focus remained a central pillar of the diplomatic mission.
Sweden’s Ambassador to Egypt, Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, concluded that the visit reflects a strong commitment to Egypt’s healthcare reform agenda. He noted that the engagements demonstrate a growing potential for deeper collaboration between the two countries across both the public and private sectors.
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