Saad stated that Egypt is considered one of the largest medical and health tourism markets, but that this was achieved through the individual efforts of hospitals and travel agencies, despite the market boasting the best doctors in the Middle East.
He pointed out that the depreciation of the Egyptian pound against foreign currencies has weakened the competitiveness of medical tourism in Egypt compared to neighboring and regional markets, so it was logical to work to regulate and standardize facilities operating in this field.
Saad believed that the decision aims to regulate health tourism and improve the quality of its services, leading to an increase in the number of tourists coming to Egypt to receive health services.
The Official Gazette published Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly's Decree No. 1688 of 2025, which states in Article 1: A national council, headed by the Council of Ministers, shall be established called the "National Council for Health Tourism." The council aims to regulate health tourism and improve the quality of its services, leading to an increase in the number of tourists arriving in the Arab Republic of Egypt to receive health services.
Article 2 of the decision, published in the Official Gazette No. 20 (bis) issued on May 18, 2025, stipulates that the "National Council for Health Tourism" will be formed, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, and including the following members: the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities (who will replace the Council Chairman in his absence), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, the Minister of Civil Aviation, and the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade.
The Council also includes the Chairman of the State Information Service, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Healthcare, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Council of State (nominated by the Special Council for Administrative Affairs), a representative of the Central Bank of Egypt (nominated by the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt), a representative of the Ministry of Interior (nominated by the Minister of Interior), a representative of the National Security Agency (nominated by its Chairman), and a representative of the Armed Forces Medical Services Administration (nominated by the Minister of Defense).
The Council also includes a representative of the relevant budget sector. The Council shall be composed of the Minister of Finance (nominated by the Minister of Finance), the Chairman of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers, and the Chairman of the Chamber of Private Sector Healthcare Providers. The Council may invite any government agency, expert, or specialist to attend its meetings, without having a vote.
According to Article 3 of the decision, the Council shall meet at the invitation of its Chairman at least once every three months, or whenever necessary. Members may convene or participate in its meetings by any means or modern communication technology. A valid meeting shall only be held if two-thirds of its members are present, including the Chairman of the Council or his/her representative. Its decisions shall be issued by a majority vote of the members present. In the event of a tie, the Chairman of the Council shall have the casting vote. The Prime Minister shall preside over the Council if present.
Articles 4 to 6 of the decision include details of all matters related to the powers and issuance of decisions that enable it to achieve its objectives, in addition to the formation of the technical secretariat of the council and its tasks, and the periodic reports issued by the council that are presented to the Prime Minister. Paragraph seven of the resolution stipulates that the Prime Minister's decision No. 2813 of 2017 regarding the formation of a higher committee for medical tourism is to be cancelled, while Article 8 of the decision included that it is to be published in the Official Gazette and effective from the day following the date of its publication.