Prof. Hatem Elgabaly
Area of Expertise: Diagnostic Radiology
Current Titles:
Chief Executive Officer, Rx Healthcare Fund — Cairo, Egypt
Board Member, Polyserve Industrial Group — Giza, Egypt
Board Member, Vezeeta Company — Cairo, Egypt
Board Member, Rad Care Company — Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Chairman, Peninsula Consultants — Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Years of experience: 50 years
Brief Biography
Professor Hatem Mostafa Mostafa Elgabaly is a distinguished graduate of the Kasr Al‑Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University (Class of 1975), Prof. Elgabaly has remained deeply connected to his alma mater throughout his professional journey, contributing significantly to its academic legacy and to the advancement of healthcare in Egypt and the region.
Following his graduation, Prof. Elgabaly pursued advanced training in radiodiagnosis, earning his MSc and MD degrees and embarking on a progressive academic career exclusively at the Kasr Al‑Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. His academic appointments reflect a steady trajectory of excellence and leadership: he was appointed Assistant Lecturer in 1979, promoted to Lecturer in 1983, advanced to Assistant Professor in 1988, and ultimately attained the rank of Professor of Radiodiagnosis in 2001. Throughout his academic career, he has been deeply committed to medical education, clinical excellence, and mentorship, helping shape generations of physicians and imaging specialists.
A defining influence in his professional development was his mentor, Professor Mohamed Abdel Wahab, former Head of the Department, whose deep knowledge, generous guidance, and fatherly approach laid the foundation of Prof. Elgabaly’s expertise in radiodiagnosis and strongly influenced his values as a physician and leader. Prof. El‑Gabaly also acknowledges the lasting impact of many distinguished professors across disciplines, to whom he remains deeply grateful, including Professors Amin Nassef; Hussein Abdel Fatah and Wael Farag (Orthopedics); Nasseh Amin (Laboratory Medicine); Ahmed Abdelaziz Ismail (Internal Medicine); Fathi Iskander (Surgery); Rashad Barsoum (Nephrology); Khairy Samra (Neurosurgery); and Fahmi El Sayed (Radiodiagnosis).
Beyond academia, Prof. El‑Gabaly emerged as a pioneer in healthcare entrepreneurship and system development, founding CairoScan and playing a leading role in the growth of Al Borg Laboratories.
His leadership later extended to public service as Minister of Health of Egypt, where he faced significant challenges, including limited funding, insufficient paramedical training, complex bureaucracy, and barriers to overseas training. These obstacles were addressed through innovative partnerships, including collaboration with national institutions and the mobilization of international and private resources, demonstrating new models for delivering timely, large‑scale healthcare reforms.
Today, Prof. Elgabaly’s expertise spans healthcare project innovation and management, healthcare investment inside and outside Egypt, and consulting for public and private institutions. His career reflects the enduring impact of Kasr Al‑Ainy alumni who combine discipline, mentorship, and vision to create lasting change in healthcare systems.
A moment from Medlab Middle East (Dubai, Feb. 2025) during a session led by Dr. Hatem Elgabaly, where experts discussed the need for collaboration, investment, and technology‑driven solutions to improve access to diagnostics and strengthen healthcare systems in underserved markets.
Key Professional Achievements
Academic Leadership and Scholarship
Dedicated to teaching and research throughout his academic career, Prof. Elgabaly contributed extensively to medical education and research at Kasr Al‑Ainy Faculty of Medicine, with his formal academic work concluding in 1993.Pioneering Diagnostic Radiology Services
In October 1983, he created and operated CairoScan, the first private standalone diagnostic radiology group practice in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa, setting new standards for diagnostic imaging and service delivery.Advancing Laboratory Medicine
In 1991, Prof. Elgabaly founded Al Borg Laboratory, the first private standalone medical laboratory in Egypt and the Middle East, which later evolved into one of the region’s most prominent diagnostic laboratory networks.Healthcare Infrastructure Development
In 1992, he developed and built the first medical tower in Egypt, introducing a new integrated approach to outpatient healthcare services.Tertiary Care Hospital Innovation
In 1998, he created, incorporated, built, and managed the first private tertiary care hospital in Egypt and the Middle East, in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation marking a milestone in international healthcare collaboration.Healthcare Investment Leadership
He established the first specialized healthcare investment fund in Egypt, in partnership with EFG, then the largest private investment bank in the Middle East laying the foundation for structured healthcare investment in the country.Regional Expansion Through Mergers and Acquisitions
Prof. Elgabaly engineered the merger and acquisition of multiple radiodiagnostic centers in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, creating the largest radiology services company in the region, with 51 outlets across three countries.Innovative Outpatient Care Models in Saudi Arabia
He contributed to the creation, incorporation, and operation of a new model of three standalone outpatient service centers in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Governance and Public Service
Served for five years as a Board Member of 57357 Hospital, supporting governance and strategic oversight at one of Egypt’s leading pediatric oncology centers.
Prof. Hatem Elgabaly speaking during the Siemens Healthineers Customer Talk session, “Healthcare for Everyone,” sharing insights on how technology and innovative care models can improve access, equity, and affordability in healthcare systems across emerging markets. Watch the whole session at: https://events.siemens-healthineers.com/sessions/customer-talk/healthcare-for-everyone-hatem-elgabaly.
Challenges Faced and How They Were Overcome
Prof. Elgabaly’s tenure in public service was marked by significant challenges, including limited funding, insufficient training of paramedical staff, and complex government bureaucracy that hindered implementation. Access to financing for overseas medical training was also extremely constrained. These obstacles were addressed through pragmatic leadership and innovative partnerships. By leveraging the operational efficiency of national institutions, critical projects were delivered on time. Funding for international training scholarships was secured through a hybrid model combining USAID support with contributions from local pharmaceutical companies, demonstrating how public, international, and private resources could be effectively aligned to advance national healthcare goals.
Advice for Current Medical Students
“Young physicians should understand that demanding and highly disciplined training is not a burden, but a foundation. My early years at Kasr Al‑Ainy, particularly during residency and the assistant lecturer phases were rigorous and often challenging. Yet it was precisely this rigor that became the bedrock of everything I later built. Such formative environments instill resilience, precision, and a strong sense of professional responsibility, qualities that ultimately shape not only clinical excellence, but also leadership capacity.”
