The introduction of electronic health records, artificial intelligence technologies and the development of specialist medical care are key elements of the strategy
The Ethiopian Ministry of Health plans to digitise over 80 per cent of government hospitals and clinics by 2030.
Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), a partner of TV BRICS, reported that this move is part of Ethiopia’s efforts towards digital transformation in the healthcare sector, with the aim of establishing itself as a leading centre for medical tourism in the Horn of Africa.
The State Minister for Health, Dereje Duguma, revealed that more than 50 medical facilities have completely eliminated paper-based processes and now rely on digital systems for record management and care delivery.
“We have begun introducing AI-based digital radiology systems, diagnostic tools and treatment mechanisms in selected medical institutions,” he states, emphasising that the scope of these technologies’ deployment will see significant expansion over the next five years.
Duguma explained that digitalisation is effectively helping to improve the quality of medical services, thereby enhancing the country’s appeal to patients from neighbouring countries such as Somalia, Djibouti, and northern Kenya. Ethiopia is also continuing to develop its specialist medical infrastructure by modernising public and private clinics, the most notable of which was the opening of a state-of-the-art medical complex in Addis Ababa dedicated to the treatment of vascular, cardiac and cancer conditions.
The Ministry plans to roll out the successful healthcare models implemented in the capital, Addis Ababa, to other major cities in the region in the future.
These efforts align with broader trends seen in BRICS and partner countries. In Egypt, improvements in the quality of healthcare and the integration of digital solutions have helped to strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for medical tourism.
According to Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS, Egypt offers a model based on building international confidence in the national healthcare system and raising the quality of medical services to global standards. The growth in medical tourism revenue and the reception of tens of thousands of patients from over a hundred countries point to Egypt’s expanding presence in the global healthcare market, alongside efforts to digitise the patient journey, from the booking stage and initial consultation through to post-treatment follow-up.
In China, medical institutions are working to expand traditional Chinese medicine services for foreign patients, particularly by providing international departments, interpreters and specialised treatment services. Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS, reported that traditional Chinese medicine is emerging as a key driver of the expansion of medical tourism, particularly with the increased interest from Russian citizens following the implementation of the visa-free regime.
This dynamic has prompted medical institutions in areas near the Sino-Russian border to adapt their services to the new demand by establishing international departments, providing interpreters and expanding the range of specialised treatments such as acupuncture, traditional Chinese massage and physiotherapy.
According to BERNAMA, a partner of TV BRICS, Malaysia, for its part, stands out as a model based on linking private hospitals with airlines and national tourism campaigns, illustrating that medical tourism does not rely solely on medical infrastructure but also requires an integrated system encompassing transport, promotion, digital services, and ease of access for foreign patients to treatment programmes.
African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS
