Latest news with #UHIS
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Gustave Roussy Egypt starts cancer treatment for UHIS patients in June - Health
The Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) signed an agreement late on Tuesday with the French Gustave Roussy Institute of Oncology to provide its medical services to the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) beneficiaries starting next month. In a statement by the UHIA, Dr. Ahmad Morsy, Executive Director of Gustave Roussy International Egypt, expressed his pleasure with this collaboration and confirmed that beneficiaries will receive world-class services in line with the state's vision for a comprehensive and advanced healthcare system. Dr. Morsy added that over 150 cases have been evaluated since the partnership agreement with the Ministry of Health and Population was signed. He noted that the medical team reviewing patients includes Egyptian and French doctors. He added that agreements have been signed with the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement to supply all required medications and equipment and with the General Authority for Healthcare to train medical teams. UHIA CEO Mai Farid emphasized that the agreement marks an important step toward enabling UHIS beneficiaries to access specialized cancer treatment services through collaboration with one of the world's most prestigious centres in this field. She affirmed the Authority's ongoing efforts to expand its network of service providers to ensure the highest levels of quality and efficiency. Last year, Egypt turned its oldest hospital, Dar El-Salam General Hospital, established in the early 20th century, into Gustave Roussy International Egypt under a brand licensing agreement with the renowned French Oncology Institute. In 2017, the hospital was converted into a cancer-specialized hospital. Since 2019, the hospital has been a significant part of the presidential initiative for women's health, providing breast examinations for 18,000 women that year alone. Gustave Roussy International Egypt is the first branch of the French institution outside of France. In 2023, Newsweek recognized it as one of the top five cancer institutes in the world. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt launches 5th Check on Your Child campaign under universal insurance plan - Health
Egypt has launched the fifth phase of its Check on Your Child campaign, a free medical screening programme targeting more than 250,000 students in public schools across five governorates covered by the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). The Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA), which is overseeing the programme, said the screenings will run through October and cover pupils entering kindergarten, sixth grade, and tenth grade in the 2025–26 academic year. The campaign is being rolled out in Port Said, Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, and Suez—the first five governorates included in the UHIS since its gradual rollout began in 2018. Students in all public education streams, including Al-Azhar and technical and sports schools, will be eligible. The exams include general medical check-ups, eye and skin assessments, dental exams, and visual, hearing, and mental health impairments screenings. Older students entering preparatory and secondary school will also be tested for Hepatitis C and undergo comprehensive blood tests and early screenings for chronic illnesses. Students with health issues will be referred to UHIS-affiliated health centres and units for further testing and treatment, free of charge. All results will be digitally stored in each student's electronic health record to allow for long-term monitoring through the Family Medicine Units. Students can schedule appointments through the national hotline 15344. EHA chairman Ahmed El-Sobky said the screenings are critical to supporting children's physical and mental development and detecting health problems early. He added that the initiative aligns with broader government efforts to improve public health and invest in the country's younger generations. As part of the UHIS expansion, the authority recently added two new hospitals in Dahab and Nuweiba in South Sinai. Earlier this month, the Egyptian cabinet approved the system's rollout in Aswan, which will begin full operations on 1 July 2025—making it the sixth governorate to join the programme. The UHIS aims to provide universal healthcare coverage for all Egyptians by 2030. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
CairoScene
16-05-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
Egypt Expands Universal Health Insurance With 2 South Sinai Hospitals
Egypt opens two advanced hospitals in South Sinai as part of its Universal Health Insurance plan, enhancing care access ahead of the 2030 goal for nationwide healthcare coverage. May 16, 2025 Egypt has opened two new hospitals in South Sinai under the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). The EGP 1.3 billion project includes Nuweiba Central Hospital, a 5,000-square-metre facility featuring 42 dialysis machines, intensive and inpatient care units, operating theatres, radiology and endoscopy services, laboratories, a blood bank, and 10 outpatient clinics. Meanwhile, Dahab New Hospital, which cost EGP 728 million, is equipped with 58 beds, six outpatient clinics, and specialised units for dialysis, neonatal care, emergency surgery, and radiology. Both hospitals are designed to expand access to medical care in remote parts of the peninsula while easing the load on other regional health centres. They join five existing UHIS-affiliated facilities in the governorate—Sharm El-Sheikh International, Ras Sedr Specialised, Taba Central, Saint Catherine, and Al-Fayrouz Medical Complex—which together have provided over 1.5 million services since 2018. Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairman of the Egypt Healthcare Authority, confirmed that more than EGP 4 billion has so far been invested in South Sinai's UHIS operations. This includes infrastructure development, medical equipment, and ongoing service provision. As the UHIS expands, medical staff at existing hospitals will undergo training to meet the system's standards. The first phase of the national rollout is set to conclude in July 2025 with the inclusion of Aswan, positioning South Sinai among the six governorates at the forefront of Egypt's healthcare transformation.
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi stresses importance of incorporating AI in education and health
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directed the government on Wednesday to explore the possibility of incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a mandatory subject in school curricula and to leverage AI applications in healthcare. El-Sisi's directives came during a meeting on Wednesday with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar. According to the Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy, El-Sisi also instructed the government to improve healthcare professionals' working conditions, enhance their participation in modern training programs, and leverage AI applications in healthcare. Health insurance system El-Shennawy noted that Madbouly and Abdel Ghaffar briefed the president on the government's plan for implementing the second phase of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). Phase two will cover the governorates of Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, Minya, Matrouh, and North Sinai. It includes developing 11 hospitals and constructing 19 new ones. This brings the total number of hospitals in the designated governorates to 65, with a total capacity of 10,517 beds. The second phase also includes establishing 534 primary healthcare units and centres, including medical and non-medical equipment, at an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion. These additional units and centres bring the total number of healthcare units and centres in the designated governorates to 669. According to the spokesperson, the president, in turn, directed the government to expedite the completion of the second phase. He also stressed the importance of adhering to implementation timelines and meeting the highest quality standards. Digital health system Moreover, El-Shennawy stated that the Minister of Health reviewed steps towards developing a comprehensive digital health system that aligns with Egypt's 2030 Vision. The system aims to improve healthcare quality, facilitate service access, and increase operational efficiency. These steps also include creating electronic health records, applying AI technologies, establishing a national health information exchange platform, and enhancing international partnerships to ensure the sustainability of the digital transformation. In this context, the president directed the government to explore incorporating AI as a mandatory subject in school curricula. Presidential initiatives According to the spokesperson, El-Sisi listened to a presentation about presidential initiatives to improve public health for multiple age groups. These initiatives include examining individuals between birth and five, five and 15, and 18 and 65 through 15 presidential initiatives that provide 234 million health services at 3,527 health units. In addition, El-Shennawy indicated that the president was briefed on the implementation status of the national health projects across the country. These projects include developing and constructing 20 hospitals in 11 governorates, at an estimated cost of EGP 11.7 billion, during the 2025 fiscal year. The 20 hospitals add about 2,649 beds, including 458 ICU beds. They also add 442 incubators, 1,749 inpatient beds, 542 dialysis machines, and 95 operating rooms. Eleven hospitals have been completed in ten governorates. The Ministry of Health has also equipped existing hospitals under its administration with all necessary medical equipment up to the third quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Furthermore, the spokesperson noted that El-Sisi was updated on the Waiting List Initiative. Since its launch in July 2018, around EGP 24.746 billion has been spent to treat approximately 2.69 million citizens through the initiative. At least 2.1 million citizens were treated at state expense in 2025, and the cost of their treatment is estimated at EGP 23.2 billion. Moreover, El-Shennawy added that the president was briefed on the government's efforts to localise pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing. In this respect, El-Sisi emphasised providing all the necessary facilities to attract investments in this vital sector, which would meet local market demand and increase Egyptian exports. Human development According to the spokesperson, the president also reviewed the steps the Human Development Ministerial Group has taken to implement the national human development project "Bedaya." These steps include increasing nurseries for children under six and establishing 300 integrated human development centres in different governorates. Similarly, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar presented an overview of the National Population and Development Strategy. The strategy is part of the presidential initiative "Bedaya," which aims to improve demographic characteristics and reduce stunting, obesity, and anaemia rates among children. Abdel Ghaffar also provided an update on the population growth file. He noted that the annual population growth rate decreased by 1.34 percent in 2025, compared to 1.4 percent in 2024. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
13-05-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Dahab and Nuweiba to get two new hospitals as part of health insurance rollout - Health
The Egypt Healthcare Authority (EHA) announced on Tuesday that two new hospitals will open in Dahab and Nuweiba in South Sinai in early fiscal year 2025/26 as part of Egypt's push to expand its Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). South Sinai is one of six governorates in the first phase of Egypt's national health insurance rollout, which is due to conclude in July 2025 with the addition of Aswan. The UHIS aims to cover the entire population by 2030. According to Egypt Healthcare Authority Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky, the hospitals' construction cost a combined EGP 1.3 billion. Nuweibaa Central Hospital, covering 5,000 square metres, has 42 dialysis machines and departments for inpatient care, intensive care, emergency services, surgery, radiology, endoscopy, labs, a blood bank, and 10 outpatient clinics. The project cost over EGP 600 million. Meanwhile, Dahab New Hospital includes 58 beds, six outpatient clinics, a neonatal intensive care unit, labs, emergency surgery, dialysis, radiology, endoscopy, and blood services departments. Construction and equipment costs totalled EGP 728 million. The two facilities join five other hospitals already operating under the authority in South Sinai: Sharm El-Sheikh International, Ras Sedr Specialized, Taba Central, Saint Catherine, and Al-Fayrouz Medical Complex. Together, they have delivered more than 1.5 million medical services since the UHIS launched in the region in 2018. Staff from existing hospitals will begin transferring to the new system in the next fiscal year and will be trained to meet UHIS standards. El-Sobky said the state has spent more than EGP 4 billion on operating the scheme in South Sinai, including infrastructure and equipment. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
