Why Egypt’s healthcare sector is ripe for investment
Egypt’s healthcare sector is ripe for investment, Colliers International MENA region director Mansoor Ahmed writes in Forbes Middle East. With the population growing at a rate 2.2% annually, the demand of healthcare services expected to grow. Egypt will require an additional 76,000 beds, with new investments of USD 16-21 bn by 2020. The demand is expected to pick up to 102k additional beds (an investment of USD 22-35 bn). Up to USD 60 bn in new investments are needed by 2050 to keep up with demand. Beyond bed capacity, the country’s demand for doctors and dentists is expected to increase to 243k, with investments of up to USD 6 bn by 2050. And that’s not even counting investments in quality, which the sector sorely needs, says Ahmed. Factors he cites that help the sector thrive include the increased presence of the private sector, expanded insurance coverage (set to increase as a result of the Universal HEalthcare Act), Egypt’s reputation as a destination for medical tourism, and the growth of the cosmetics segment.