ICT Ministry, Orange Egypt Partner to Boost Remote Diagnosis in Rural Areas
Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Orange Egypt, aimed at expanding the use of remote diagnosis technologies to deliver integrated, high-quality digital healthcare services to villages, border areas, and remote communities across Egypt.
The MoU was signed by Eng. Hoda Darrag, Advisor to the Minister for Digital Community Development and Director of the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development Project at MCIT, and Ms. Maha Nagi, Executive Vice President for Public Relations, Media, and Corporate Communications at Orange Egypt. The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh, CEO of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Mr. Hesham Mehran, CEO and Managing Director of Orange Egypt, Mr. Samer Said, Head of the Central Administration for Financial and Administrative Affairs at MCIT, along with senior officials from the ministry and the company.
The MoU falls under the Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in Egypt project, implemented by MCIT’s Central Administration for Digital Community Development in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to enhance equitable and sustainable access to advanced digital healthcare services in underserved and remote areas by expanding and scaling up remote diagnosis solutions through comprehensive, digitally automated, and scalable health interventions.
Minister Amr Talaat stated that the agreement supports MCIT’s efforts to deploy information technology applications to strengthen the healthcare system and facilitate citizens’ access to high-quality medical services, particularly in remote and most-in-need areas. He noted that around 317 remote diagnosis units have already been deployed nationwide, digitally connecting central and university hospitals with health units in distant areas to provide medical consultations in more than 100 medical specialties. He emphasized that remote diagnosis technologies play a vital role in improving the accuracy and quality of medical services while reducing travel burdens and costs for citizens.
Talaat added that the partnership with Orange Egypt reflects a collaborative approach that brings together government, the private sector, and civil society organizations to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare and maximize the benefits of modern technologies, in line with the objectives of the Digital Egypt strategy to build an inclusive and sustainable digital society.
For his part, Hesham Mehran, CEO and Managing Director of Orange Egypt, said that the MoU supports national efforts to advance digital transformation and enhance healthcare services, especially in villages and remote areas. He explained that the project aims to establish an integrated digital health system linking health units with central and university hospitals, while supporting medical staff through training and smart solutions to improve service efficiency. Mehran stressed that the cooperation represents a successful model of public-private partnership and reaffirmed Orange Egypt’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve quality of life and build a more efficient healthcare system.
Under the implementation framework, mobile medical units equipped with remote diagnosis technologies will be deployed as part of medical convoys organized by civil society organizations. This approach will help reach the most vulnerable groups and provide medical examinations, initial diagnostics, treatment, and awareness services. It will also enhance medical consultations, knowledge exchange, and connectivity between specialized healthcare facilities, ensuring faster referrals for critical cases and more accurate diagnoses, while easing pressure on hospitals.
The MoU spans two years, during which MCIT will oversee the preparation of digital medical units, provide technical and operational supervision, and lead awareness and capacity-building activities in cooperation with civil society organizations. Orange Egypt, through its corporate social responsibility programs, will fully fund the project, including unit preparation and the implementation of training and awareness initiatives, in accordance with the highest standards of transparency and governance.
The project aligns with the state’s strategy to deliver integrated digital healthcare solutions accessible to all citizens without discrimination, while addressing social, economic, and environmental sustainability dimensions. It builds on the success of the presidential remote diagnosis initiative implemented in partnership between the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Health and Population, and Higher Education and Scientific Research, which has served nearly 300,000 citizens over the past three years.
This partnership highlights Orange Egypt’s commitment to social responsibility and its role in supporting sustainable development initiatives that enhance citizens’ quality of life. It also stands as a model for effective collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society, contributing to MCIT’s strategic objectives and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, in support of a comprehensive and sustainable digital healthcare ecosystem in Egypt.