Latest news with #UHIS
Al-Ahram Weekly
30-07-2025
- Health
- 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:
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-07-2025
- Health
- 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:
CairoScene
05-07-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
First Phase of Universal Health Insurance Plan Launches in Aswan
UHIS officially launches in Aswan, marking the end of the first rollout phase. Over 2.8 million services delivered in trial run, with national coverage set for completion by 2027. Jul 05, 2025 Egypt has officially launched the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in Aswan, the final governorate in the programme's first implementation phase. The milestone marks a key step toward the full national rollout, which is now scheduled to conclude by 2027. Aswan becomes the sixth governorate to join UHIS - following Port Said, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Luxor - and the second in Upper Egypt. The system, managed by the Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA), delivered over 2.8 million services during its trial phase in Aswan, ranging from medical tests and diagnostics to surgeries and advanced treatment. According to EHA Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky, the services included one million lab tests, 400,000 emergency treatments, 100,000 outpatient visits, and 20,000 surgeries. Nearly half were specialised or advanced-level procedures. Care was delivered through eight hospitals and 89 affiliated clinics. Investments in UHIS infrastructure, equipment, and digital transformation in Aswan have exceeded EGP 12 billion. The first phase of the UHIS, launched in 2018, cost more than EGP 51 billion overall. The second phase - covering Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya - is expected to begin later this year at an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion.
Al-Ahram Weekly
01-07-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt launches Universal Health Insurance System in Aswan - Health
Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) has officially launched in Aswan, marking the final governorate in the first phase of the nationwide programme, according to the Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA). 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. EHA Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky stated that during the trial phase, which commenced in late 2023, the system in Aswan provided 2.8 million medical and therapeutic services. These ranged from comprehensive medical exams and diagnostics to advanced treatments and major surgeries. According to El-Sobky, the services included more than one million medical and laboratory tests, 400,000 emergency services, 100,000 outpatient visits, and 20,000 surgeries, with over 45 percent classified as primary, advanced, skilled, or specialised procedures. Intensive care, neonatal services, and other forms of advanced care were also provided. The services were delivered through eight hospitals and 89 family medicine centres and units affiliated with the EHA. El-Sobky stated that investments in the UHIS in Aswan have exceeded EGP 12 billion, encompassing infrastructure, medical equipment, and digital transformation initiatives. He described the system's launch as a step towards 'health justice' and improving public health outcomes. The first phase of the UHIS, which focused on upgrading medical infrastructure, has cost more than EGP 51 billion. The second phase, expected to begin later this year, will extend coverage to Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya, with an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion, according to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Originally slated for completion by 2032, the UHIS will be rolled out nationwide by 2027 under presidential directives. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
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:
