Expert cites potential for widening health tourism avenues in African continent

Expert cites potential for widening health tourism avenues in African continent

Alioune Gueye at the recently concluded Qatar Travel Mart 2023 in Doha. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar.







An industry expert has underscored the need to further strengthen healthcare systems across the African continent to position it as a leading destination for medical tourism, including individuals from the Mena region.Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of Qatar Travel Mart 2023, Alioune Gueye, president director general at Afrique Challenge, highlighted the importance of having well-established universities for training doctors, advanced hospitals, cutting-edge technologies, and a complete value chain from middle management to clinical laboratories.He cited countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, and Senegal, currently recognised as medical destinations due to their robust healthcare infrastructure. He stressed that not every country can be a medical destination.“This is key because you know a hospital is not a hotel as comfortable as it could be... Now, (there are) more and more startups because you