ACCESS Health convened a high-level Roundtable on the Africa and MENA Health Tourism Market Study on 14 December, bringing together senior policymakers, health system leaders, and global experts to examine medical tourism as a strategic pathway for strengthening health systems and advancing economic development.
The closed-door dialogue provided a platform to validate key findings from the market study and to translate evidence into policy-relevant, actionable recommendations. Discussions centred on strengthening governance frameworks and regulatory harmonisation, advancing quality and accreditation standards, ensuring workforce readiness and capacity building, and addressing cross-border patient mobility. Participants also reflected on the importance of aligning medical tourism strategies with national health priorities, universal health coverage objectives, and broader economic development agendas.
The roundtable further examined Africa’s emerging capabilities in comparison with established global medical tourism hubs such as India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Best practices related to packaged care models, pricing transparency, and internationally accredited services were highlighted as critical enablers for competitiveness and patient trust.
By convening a diverse group of stakeholders, the discussion fostered a shared understanding of regional opportunities and constraints, while identifying pathways for coordinated national and regional action. ACCESS Health continues to support governments and institutions across Africa and the MENA region through research, convening, and advisory services, with a focus on promoting value-driven, people-centred health systems.