Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing the development of Egypt's healthcare system nationwide, in line with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to modernize medical infrastructure and accelerate the rollout of the Universal Health Insurance System across governorates.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouly chaired a meeting to review preparations for the second phase of the system, emphasizing the scheme's vital role in enhancing service quality and expanding access to comprehensive healthcare for citizens. The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Head of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation Ahmed Taha, Deputy Chairman of the Universal Health Insurance Authority Ihab Abu Eish, and Deputy Chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare Hany Rashid.
During the meeting, Abdel Ghaffar presented the implementation plan for Minya Governorate, the first region to be included in the second phase, indicating a significant leap in healthcare services. He detailed the readiness of medical facilities in Minya concerning infrastructure, equipment, workforce, and digital transformation, aligning with national accreditation and quality standards.
The Health Minister outlined the requirements for the implementation, the involvement of the private sector, and strategies to expand hospital capacity by constructing new facilities or upgrading existing ones. This expansion aims to address local population needs and ensure adequate primary care coverage.
Abdel Ghaffar also proposed a timeline for both the pilot and full-scale rollout in Minya and discussed a feasibility study on including Alexandria in the second phase. The study examined the current health infrastructure in Alexandria, detailing hospitals, ICU and dialysis beds, operating theaters, and neonatal incubators, along with investment opportunities in facilities not yet integrated into the national plan.
He concluded with cost assessments and an estimated timeline for integrating Alexandria into the system. Madbouly instructed officials to take the necessary steps to begin implementation in Alexandria starting from the next fiscal year.
Additionally, the Health Minister presented proposed legislative amendments to Law No. 2 of 2018 on the Universal Health Insurance System, aimed at bolstering the system's financial resources, enhancing governance, and improving coordination among its three regulatory bodies.