Egypt's Healthcare Authority, Arab Emergency Union discuss strategic cooperation
The agreement will include joint training, crisis management, and business continuity, with certified programs for EHA staff and participants from other Arab countries. EHA will offer its field hospitals as training sites.
The two sides also discussed collaboration in reconstruction, public awareness campaigns, and sharing Egypt's health system experience across the region.
For his part, al-Sobky said that the partnership reflects Egypt's direction toward Arab cooperation in health and emergency preparedness.
Meanwhile, Al Daihani praised Egypt's experience and confirmed plans for field-based programs and certified training across the Arab region.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
20 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt rolls out in-home healthcare with 2,000 visits in Port Said, Ismailia - Health
Egypt's Health Care Authority (EHA) has officially launched its Your Care at Home initiative in Port Said and Ismailia, completing 2,000 visits during the pilot phase. The programme aims to deliver comprehensive medical care to citizens in their homes with high efficiency and quality. Egypt Healthcare Authority (EHA) Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky said the service—part of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS)—is currently available in the two governorates, with plans for gradual nationwide expansion. Medical teams operate under standardized clinical protocols, offering services including family medicine, nursing, physical therapy, chronic disease management, and elderly care. Upcoming additions will include post-surgical and mental health support. The initiative deploys Home Care Cars—specially equipped vehicles stocked with advanced medical tools—to ensure rapid response and maintain patient comfort and privacy. Services are provided within 48 hours of request, or the same day for urgent cases. Requests are currently made through affiliated family medicine units, with a dedicated hotline (15305) set to launch soon. The service is open to all citizens, regardless of UHIS enrollment. El-Sobky described the project as a 'qualitative shift' in care delivery—prioritizing patient-centred, integrated services and moving away from traditional, facility-based models. The announcement comes as UHIS was officially launched in Aswan this month, marking the final governorate in the first phase of the nationwide rollout. Aswan is the sixth to join, following Port Said, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Luxor. Phase one, focused on infrastructure upgrades, has cost over EGP 51 billion. Phase two, expected to begin later this year, will extend coverage to Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya, at an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion. Initially set for 2032, the full UHIS rollout is now slated for completion by 2027 under presidential directives. Aswan is the sixth governorate to join the UHIS and the second in Upper Egypt after Luxor. The multi-phase programme began in 2018 in Port Said and has since expanded to Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Luxor. Phase one, focused on infrastructure upgrades, has cost over EGP 51 billion. Phase two, expected to begin later this year, will extend coverage to Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya, at an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion. Initially set for 2032, the full UHIS rollout is now slated for completion by 2027 under presidential directives. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Novartis explore expanding collaboration in oncology, cardiology
Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairperson of Egypt's General Authority for Healthcare and supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance Project, met on Sunday with Gehan El-Emary, Chairperson and Managing Director of Novartis Egypt, to follow up on the progress of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in February. The MoU, which aims to enhance cancer care, broaden cardiology collaboration, and promote medical training, has seen significant developments, according to an official statement from the Authority. El-Sobky highlighted the authority's goal to transform the Aswan Oncology Center into a leading regional and research hub for cancer treatment, with the involvement of international partners, including Novartis. During the meeting, El-Sobky extended a formal invitation to Novartis officials to visit the center and explore potential areas for further collaboration on-site. The meeting also focused on efforts to modernize clinical protocols for heart disease and breast cancer, alongside expanding training programs for healthcare providers in line with global best practices. El-Sobky emphasized the importance of increasing the number of physicians benefiting from these programs in partnership with Novartis to strengthen healthcare delivery across Egypt. In addition, the two sides discussed the possibility of launching a certified digital training platform designed to equip family doctors with the tools and skills necessary to manage non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic heart conditions. They also explored innovative strategies to raise public health awareness and ensure continuity of care in underserved areas. Gehan El-Emary expressed pride in the growing partnership between Novartis and the General Authority for Healthcare, noting the tangible successes achieved through their joint initiatives. She reaffirmed Novartis's ongoing commitment to expanding its collaboration with the Authority, particularly in the areas of early detection, cancer care, cardiology, and chronic disease management.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UHIS reaches Aswan - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
There is no doubt that there is dire need for a more effective health insurance system in Egypt capable of providing citizens with high-quality treatment at their outlet of choice. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Population has completed the first phase of the new health insurance system by introducing it to Aswan governorate. The official launch reflects the government's commitment to establishing an inclusive, solidarity-based healthcare system that prioritises citizens' health. Ahmed Al-Sobki, chairman of Healthcare Authority and the general supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS), noted that 97 healthcare facilities have been officially launched in Aswan so far, including in eight major hospitals: Aswan Specialised Hospital, Al-Ramad Specialised Hospital, Al-Masalla Specialised Hospital, Abu Simbel International Hospital, Aswan Oncology Centre, Kom Ombo Central Hospital, Daraw Central Hospital, and Nile Specialised Hospital. This is in addition to 89 family medicine centres and health units that are currently providing services. According to Al-Sobki, the target is to reach 123 healthcare facilities, including 11 hospitals and 121 family medicine centres, as the implementation phases are progressing. 'All facilities are being outfitted according to the highest technical and medical standards to ensure safe, high-quality healthcare for all beneficiaries,' stated Al-Sobki. 'The authority's healthcare network in Aswan delivers services across all levels: primary care such as general consultations and preventive services. Secondary care includes diagnostics, outpatient clinics, and emergency services. In addition to tertiary care, there are complex surgeries and specialised treatments. All medical services provided include comprehensive medical checkups, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, outpatient clinics, emergency response, and high-precision surgical procedures,' Al-Sobki said. He highlighted that the total investment in infrastructure for healthcare facilities in Aswan exceeds LE9 billion, with an additional LE2.5 billion allocated for medical and non-medical equipment as part of the government's broader vision to build an integrated, and sustainable healthcare infrastructure that meets global standards. Al-Sobki stated that the official launching in Aswan was a significant step towards completing the first phase of the UHIS across selected governorates. It reflects the government's determination to establish a comprehensive and equitable healthcare model, enabling all Upper Egypt citizens to access global standards of medical care without financial hardship. Al-Sobki revealed that 2.4 million citizens, with operational costs exceeding LE27.5 billion, have registered in the UHIS in Upper Egypt governorates (Luxor and Aswan). More than 27 million medical and therapeutic services have been delivered to beneficiaries across the region through 171 affiliated healthcare facilities. Among them are 24 million services provided in Luxor governorate, the second governorate to implement the UHIS. Three million services were delivered in Aswan. 'Nearly 400,000 surgeries and surgical interventions have been performed in Upper Egypt under the authority's facilities. These include highly complex procedures, many of which were conducted for the first time under the umbrella of the UHIS,' said Al-Sobki. He added that regardless of the actual cost of the surgery, citizens are required to pay less than LE450. Some procedures performed under the system would otherwise cost over LE1 million outside of insurance coverage. Al-Sobki affirmed that the authority has made a transformational upgrade of the healthcare infrastructure in Upper Egypt, with the provision of over 1,200 hospital beds across its facilities. These include general inpatient beds, Intensive Care Unit beds, and neonatal incubators, so as to meet the growing healthcare demands of the population and ensure access to highly advanced medical services. 'Around 40 per cent of these beds have been allocated to critical care services, such as intensive care and neonatal units,' he said. According to Al-Sobki, family health centres and units in Upper Egypt have provided more than 17 million family healthcare services to date, through 155 centres and units operating in the participating governorates. Additionally, over 1.3 million comprehensive medical checkups have been conducted, reinforcing the foundational role of family medicine as the primary point of access to the UHIS, via 150 medical facilities that have been officially accredited in accordance with the standards set by the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation which is internationally recognised by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare. * A version of this article appears in print in the 24 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
