Cairo: The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, announced that there is strong interest in the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to accelerate the pace of implementing the Universal Health Insurance System across the country. The objective is to include the largest possible number of governorates to benefit from its services.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar explained in a phone interview with the program ‘Good Morning Egypt,’ aired on Channel One of Egyptian Television, that the health insurance system offers an integrated package of healthcare services. These services start with examination and treatment at primary healthcare units and extend to hospital referrals when necessary, covering all medical specialties without imposing financial burdens on citizens.
The spokesperson highlighted that the system’s implementation has notably reduced healthcare spending rates in the governorates where it has been fully applied. The system provides various healthcare services, including surgical interventions, radiology, laboratory tests, intensive care, and major operations such as organ transplants, open-heart surgery, and neurosurgery.
Dr. Abdel Ghaffar also noted that the health insurance system is currently operational in six governorates, with around 5.2 million beneficiaries, achieving a registration rate of 82% of the targeted population. Work on the second phase of the system has commenced in five governorates: Minya, Matrouh, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, and North Sinai. Alexandria Governorate is under consideration for inclusion due to its high population density. The number of beneficiaries is expected to reach approximately 18 million citizens upon the completion of the second phase.
Minya Governorate has been chosen as the first governorate in the second phase, with a trial operation set to begin in the first quarter of next year. The implementation of this phase relies on essential pillars, including infrastructure development, construction, medical and non-medical equipment, digital transformation, and the provision of qualified and well-trained human resources.