Latest news with #UniversalHealthInsurance
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt's health budget jumps to $8.13bln, up from $681mln in 2013: Minister
Egypt's healthcare spending has seen a dramatic increase, rising from EGP 34bn in 2013 to EGP 406bn in 2025, according to Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population. Speaking at the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025 on Sunday, Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that the rise reflects a national focus on strengthening the economy and attracting investment—particularly in the health sector, which he described as rich with opportunity. The minister revealed that the Ministry of Health and Population has requested additional funds from the Ministry of Finance to support further development, citing the ongoing demand for quality healthcare services. Over the past four years, Egypt has provided healthcare services to an estimated 10 million foreign residents, highlighting the growing pressure on the system. Currently, Egypt's healthcare infrastructure includes approximately 2,000 hospitals, 5,426 primary healthcare units, 142,400 hospital beds, and 16,300 intensive care beds. Abdel Ghaffar also noted that between 2014 and 2024, the ministry has completed 1,245 healthcare infrastructure projects. Looking ahead, 20 new projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. These will add 2,649 hospital beds and include the construction of specialized medical cities across 11 governorates. Additionally, the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance System is underway in six governorates, covering a combined population of around 6 million people. © 2024 Daily News Egypt. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
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.
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Reactivate medical financial assistance scheme: Puducherry CM tells health department
PUDUCHERRY: Reiterating the government's commitment to public health, Chief Minister N Rangasamy has directed the health department to reactivate the medical financial assistance scheme for treatment of life threatening diseases under the Puducherry Medical Relief Society(PMRS), functioning under the chief minister. At present, the government is implementing the PM-JAY under Ayushman Bharat Health insurance scheme, which is confined to poor and elderly persons. With the Universal Health Insurance scheme planned by the government covering all the people of the union territory yet to materialise, the CM has instructed for the revival of PMRS. A high-level review meeting on the progress of the Puducherry Government's health department was held on Tuesday at the Legislative Assembly under the chairmanship of the chief minister. The meeting focused on evaluating existing schemes and identifying areas needing urgent attention. CM Rangasamy directed officials to immediately fill all vacant posts in the department to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Daily News Egypt
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt unveils national strategy to boost patient safety, healthcare quality
Egypt has launched a comprehensive national strategy aimed at improving patient safety and elevating healthcare quality, marking a significant step in its broader medical reform agenda under Egypt's Vision 2030. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, chaired the inaugural meeting of the newly established High Committee for Enhancing Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. The committee includes senior health officials such as Ahmed Taha, head of the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation, and Ahmed El Sobky, head of the General Authority for Healthcare, alongside ministry leaders and representatives from key health institutions. Abdel Ghaffar stressed the need for coordinated efforts across institutions to establish unified national standards, enhance the training and qualification of medical personnel, and reduce preventable medical errors. He called for the formation of specialized subcommittees to develop policy recommendations and oversee the strategy's implementation. The comprehensive strategy is currently under development and will be reviewed by both the Egyptian Health Council and the Healthcare Accreditation Authority. According to ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the strategy will serve as a foundational component in the rollout of Egypt's new Medical Liability Law, designed to institutionalize patient safety practices. A dedicated Patient Safety Department has also been activated within the Ministry of Health's new organizational framework to coordinate this effort. Citing global statistics, Abdel Ghaffar noted that 4 out of every 100 patients in developing countries contract infections during hospital stays—a compelling reason for Egypt to align with international healthcare standards. The new department will lead efforts to unify safety protocols, improve system governance, and enhance operational efficiency across the national healthcare infrastructure. The minister also highlighted the expansion of Egypt's professional diploma in patient safety, calling it a vital tool in reducing medical errors—particularly as Egypt continues to implement its Universal Health Insurance system. Meeting participants reviewed the World Health Organization's definition of patient safety as 'the absence of preventable harm to a patient during the process of healthcare,' and examined the economic and human costs of inadequate safety systems. WHO's 2024 data shows that preventable adverse events impact 134 million people globally each year and lead to 2.6 million deaths, with medication errors alone costing the world economy an estimated $42bn annually. Discussions included an analysis of the WHO's Global Patient Safety Action Plan (2021–2023), international safety models, and Egypt's proposed patient safety governance structure. This framework will include both a Healthcare Quality Committee and a Patient Safety Committee to improve service standards and reduce medical risks. To drive the strategy forward, the meeting established several executive committees focused on strategic planning, quality research, monitoring and evaluation, international cooperation, and legislative reform. A preliminary roadmap with a detailed timeline was also presented, identifying major challenges—chief among them, the urgent need for widespread training of healthcare workers. The Health Council has already produced eight clinical guideline manuals, and discussions addressed the need to standardize clinical protocols nationwide. Coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education is underway to ensure consistency in medical education and training. Joint efforts between the Health Ministry and the Health Council also include pediatric programs focused on delivering guideline-based care. Finally, officials explored the establishment of a National Center for Patient Safety, envisioned as a cornerstone institution to foster a culture of safety, minimize risk exposure, and promote best practices throughout Egypt's healthcare system.
Daily News Egypt
01-03-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Japan celebrate 70 years of development cooperation
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, hosted a ceremony at the Egyptian Opera House on 22 February to commemorate 70 years of Egypt-Japan development cooperation. The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Japan's Ambassador to Egypt, IWAI Fumio, Egypt's Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mohamed Abd El Latif, and Vice Minister of Social Solidarity, Margrit Sarofum. Other high-ranking officials, such as Ahmed Shahin, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, and Ahmed El Sobky, Chairperson of the Egypt Healthcare Authority and Supervisor General of the Universal Health Insurance and Life Dignified projects, were also present. The ceremony opened with an infographic video that highlighted key milestones of Egypt-Japan collaboration, showcasing the depth of their longstanding partnership. In his opening remarks, Ambassador IWAI Fumio expressed gratitude for the strong ties between the two nations, emphasizing that this anniversary marks a significant achievement in their shared history. Minister Mohamed Abd El Latif reflected on the success of their educational collaboration, noting that he had recently returned from an intensive visit to Japan, where he engaged in discussions to further enhance Egypt's education system by adopting Japanese expertise. JICA Egypt's Chief Representative, KATO Ken, underscored the importance of the partnership by quoting, 'The best way to predict the future is to create it.' He highlighted how Egypt and Japan have worked together to address critical challenges, aligning JICA's focus on quality growth and human security with Egypt's strategic priorities in infrastructure, food security, climate change, human resource development, private sector growth, and industrial localization. A video message from Rania El Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, reinforced Japan's vital role in Egypt's development, emphasizing its support through financial and technical assistance. She pointed to landmark projects such as the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (EJUST), the Universal Health Insurance Project, and Cairo Metro Line 4, all of which reflect the depth of Egyptian-Japanese collaboration over the decades. In her keynote speech, Margrit Sarofum expressed appreciation for Japan's contributions, particularly in early childhood education through the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership, a pillar of their successful cooperation. The event also featured a panel discussion titled 'Empowerment of Human Capital for Sustainable Industrial Growth.' Moderated by Mayada Magdy, Country Senior Representative for JICA Egypt, the discussion centered on the role of education and industry collaboration in driving economic progress. Panelists included Hany Helal, Secretary-General of the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership and Chairperson of EJUST; Amr Adly, President of EJUST; Rasha Sharaf, Executive Director of the Education Development Fund and EJ KOSEN Project; MURAKAMI Soichi, JICA's Expert for Investment Promotion at GAFI; Nabil El Mougy, Founder and Shareholder of Saraya Middle East; and TSUNODA Manabu, Chief Advisor of the EJUST Project. The discussion emphasized the necessity of investing in human capital to support sustainable industrial growth, highlighting successful projects and the potential for future cooperation. As part of the anniversary celebrations, students from Egypt-Japan Schools in Suez delivered a lively dance performance, followed by a Japanese YOSAKOI dance presented by both Japanese and Egyptian students, symbolizing the cultural exchange between the two nations. In his closing remarks, the newly appointed Chief Representative of JICA Egypt, EBISAWA Yo, praised the enduring partnership between Egypt and Japan, emphasizing that investing in people is the key to progress. He reaffirmed JICA's commitment to Egypt and expressed his gratitude to his predecessor, KATO Ken, for his efforts over the past three years. As Egypt and Japan mark seven decades of cooperation, this milestone event reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable development, human capital investment, and economic growth, setting the stage for continued collaboration in the years to come.
