Latest news with #UniversalHealthInsuranceAuthority
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
11-02-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Healthcare for all by 2030 - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt is expanding its Universal Health Insurance System to ensure that all citizens have health coverage by 2030 Enhancing private investments in providing universal health insurance is essential, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said this week while addressing the annual forum of the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA). The vision adopted by the government is that providing health services is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every citizen, Madbouli said. Real development can only be achieved when individuals enjoy a dignified and healthy life, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said. Held under the theme of 'Pioneering Private Investment for Sustainable Universal Health Coverage', the forum aimed to boost public-private partnerships to encourage private investment in the healthcare system and accomplish comprehensive and sustainable health coverage for everyone. During the first phase of the implementation of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in six governorates, the cost of preparing and enhancing the efficiency of health facilities exceeded LE51 billion to cover six million citizens out of a total of 107 million, the prime minister explained. He added that this demonstrated the expected future expenditure for implementing the remaining phases of the system to cover all citizens with healthcare services. It is anticipated that approximately LE115 billion will be spent to implement the system among the six governorates in the second phase. Currently, 54 per cent of health expenditure comes out of the patient's pocket, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar said. He added that the government covers 38 per cent of the cost and the rest is covered by non-governmental organisations and others. 'The government is making every effort to speed up the process of implementing the Universal Health Insurance System by 2030,' said the minister, adding that the system's second phase will begin in July. According to Abdel-Ghaffar, the full implementation of the system is extremely important for Egypt and its future because it will ensure fairness and non-discrimination in healthcare services. 'It is true that the percentage of healthcare expenses paid for out-of-pocket by individuals in Egypt is currently higher than the amount spent by the government. But the Government percentage is expected to increase over time due to the expansion of the system,' Abdel-Ghaffar said. The UHIS was launched in July 2019 by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in Port Said to introduce a comprehensive healthcare system for 100 million Egyptians in accordance with international standards. In February 2021, President Al-Sisi initiated the trial operation of the UHIS in three governorates as part of its first phase, officially launching the system in Ismailia, Luxor, and South Sinai. Abdel-Ghaffar pointed to the importance of encouraging private investments in the healthcare sector, due to certain challenges, primarily population growth. 'Egypt's bed capacity is still below global standards. While the international benchmark is 28 beds per 10,000 citizens, Egypt currently has only 12 beds per 10,000 citizens. There is a need to add thousands of hospital beds in the coming years,' Abdel-Ghaffar said, adding that a single hospital costs the government LE3 billion and requires private-sector investment. He said that the government is committed to increasing the participation of the private sector in the development of Egypt's healthcare infrastructure. The share of private-sector hospital beds and facilities has increased significantly, reflecting its growing role in the healthcare system, Abdel-Ghaffar pointed out. The share of private hospital beds rose from 21 per cent in 2011 to 29.3 per cent in 2022, while private hospitals now account for 63.3 per cent of the total, up from 59 per cent in 2011. 'This growth highlights the rising confidence in private healthcare services and their contribution to meeting the increasing demand for medical care. The private sector also plays a crucial role in Egypt's pharmaceutical market, accounting for approximately 82 per cent of total market share in recent years,' Abdel-Ghaffar said. He also spoke about national healthcare projects implemented over the past 10 years, which have totalled 1,300 projects, including 20 projects in 2024 alone, with a budget exceeding LE35 billion across 11 governorates. Abdel-Ghaffar pointed to legislative efforts made by the government to encourage private-sector investments by providing highly facilitated loans in coordination with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). Further facilities include the public utilities concession law, which facilitates the establishment, management, operation, and development of healthcare facilities, as well as the Investment Incentives Model recently approved by the cabinet. Ehab Abu Aish, vice chair of the board of the UHIA, stated that Egypt has achieved significant progress in the healthcare sector in recent years through health initiatives that have brought about a fundamental shift in disease control, expanded health protection for the most vulnerable groups, and led to the implementation of the UHIS. This system is a great change in the management and financing of healthcare services, as it is based on the principles of solidarity and financial sustainability, he said. 'There are several challenges that still exist, including changing demographics, rising disease rates, and economic difficulties. Therefore, we must maximise the utilisation of all available resources to ensure the continuous development of the healthcare system,' Abu Aish added. More than 27 per cent of private healthcare providers have joined the UHIS, thus reflecting the system's success in gaining the trust of healthcare providers. 'This public-private partnership plays a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage, adhering to quality standards that ensure the best possible services for all citizens,' he said. The ministries of planning and finance are responsible for developing the necessary infrastructure to support the system, he explained, while the UHIA purchases healthcare services from both public and private entities. The UHIA signed several cooperation protocols and agreements to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance its services during the recent forum. The agreements included a collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, E-Health, and E-Finance. This agreement enables the use of social support cards, such as Takaful and Karama welfare cards, to verify eligibility for healthcare services. It also facilitates data exchange to ensure accuracy and efficiency in delivering services to beneficiaries. E-Health is an Egyptian technology and digital connector for the health, medical, and insurance sectors, and E-Finance is a digital operations provider that provides digital services for government payments. Another cooperation agreement was signed with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and the Doctors Syndicate that supports healthcare providers by offering financial assistance for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies for clinics, medical centres, and hospitals wishing to join the system. There was another support and operations agreement with E-Health to enhance the digital infrastructure of the system and improve the efficiency of healthcare-service management. This will ensure technological integration across various entities involved in the system. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with healthcare firm B-Well Holding and health insurance provider Limitless Care. These aim to produce medical awareness content via the MedSolto platform, a medical platform connecting doctors to facilitate the sharing of experience and knowledge, to educate doctors and pharmacists about the UHIS, and to promote the integration of the healthcare sector into the system. MoUs were also signed with GlobeMed, a private health insurance company, and Yodawy, a software company that offers medication delivery, management, and insurance services for patients, corporates, and health insurance companies. The agreements focus on supporting digital transformation and developing a standardised digital model. They aim to enhance healthcare and pharmaceutical services through a unified digital framework, ensuring efficiency and consistency. Several agreements were signed to enhance the skills and expertise of medical personnel with pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Astellas, Roche, and AbbVie. These agreements focus on specialised training programmes and workshops in health economics, health technology assessment, the development of treatment protocols, service package components, and advancing payment systems. * A version of this article appears in print in the 13 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link:
CairoScene
11-02-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
Universal Health Insurance Expands With EGP 115 Billion
The Universal Health Insurance Authority has set a target of achieving full health insurance coverage for all citizens by 2030. Feb 11, 2025 At the annual forum of the Universal Health Insurance Authority in the New Administrative Capital, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare. Over EGP 51 billion has been invested in upgrading healthcare facilities across six governorates, benefiting six million citizens. The Universal Health Insurance system, launched experimentally in Port Said in 2018 and later expanded to Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez and Aswan, is now entering its second phase. With EGP 115 billion allocated, this phase will cover the governorates of Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai and Minya. Investments will focus on upgrading healthcare infrastructure, digital transformation, and service integration to enhance medical access. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasised the growing role of the private sector in healthcare. The share of private hospital beds increased from 21% in 2011 to 29.3% in 2022, reflecting increased investment and confidence in private healthcare services. The private sector also holds an 82% share in Egypt's pharmaceutical market. The forum also recognised Egypt's healthcare achievements, with the World Bank reporting that Egypt has seen progress in reducing birth and mortality rates and increasing life expectancy. The country has also received WHO Gold Certification for eliminating hepatitis C. The Universal Health Insurance Authority has set a target of achieving full health insurance coverage for all citizens by 2030. The government has secured financing from international institutions, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the World Health Organization, with a USD 1 billion facility supporting this initiative.
Al-Ahram Weekly
10-02-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Second phase of Egypt Universal Health Insurance to cost EGP 115 bln: PM Madbouly
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly revealed that the second stage of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme is estimated to cost EGP 115 billion. Madbouly's remarks came during Sunday's annual Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) forum. The prime minister clarified that the first phase, which involved six million citizens in six governorates, cost over EGP 51 billion and that the funds were spent improving healthcare facilities. The six-phase healthcare scheme started experimentally in Port Said in 2018 and later expanded to Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Aswan. Ihab Abu Aish, vice chairman of the UHIA, revealed that the second phase, expected to begin in July, will cover the governorates of Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya, according to local news website Youm7. Madbouly also described the UHI as a national dream that is being fulfilled through the leadership's vision, the government's determination, and the people's participation. He said the UHI is 'the largest structural reform project aiming to develop the healthcare system.' Madbouly affirmed that it provides all segments of society with access to healthcare services without discrimination, with the state bearing the expenses of the neediest groups. He stressed that the system's success depends on collaboration between the state, the private sector, and various health institutions to provide comprehensive and sustainable health insurance coverage for Egyptian citizens. Moreover, he urged everyone to contribute to "this great national journey" with their ideas, investments, and expertise to build a more efficient, just, and sustainable health system. During the forum, Presidential Adviser for Health Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din also said Egypt is on track to achieve universal health insurance coverage for all its citizens by 2030. Egypt has ongoing agreements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the World Health Organization to finance the country's UHIS, including a $1 billion facility. Short link:
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt allocates over $1bln to enhance healthcare facilities in 6 governorates
Egypt - At the annual forum of the Universal Health Insurance Authority in the New Administrative Capital, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly underscored Egypt's commitment to advancing healthcare. Madbouly highlighted that the comprehensive health insurance system represents a major transformation, ensuring universal coverage through a social solidarity-based model. The state has dedicated substantial financial and human resources to this reform, prioritizing coverage for the most vulnerable. Reaffirming that investing in healthcare is an investment in Egypt's future generations, Madbouly outlined key divs related to the comprehensive health insurance system. During the first phase, implemented in six governorates, over EGP 51bn was allocated to equip and upgrade healthcare facilities, benefiting six million citizens out of Egypt's 107 million population. He noted that this expenditure indicates the expected costs required to complete the system, with approximately EGP 115bn projected to prepare the governorates in the second phase. At the same time, he emphasized that Egypt is now entering a crucial new phase of implementation—the second phase—focused on expanding coverage. This stage underscores the state's dedication to accelerating execution, ensuring healthcare infrastructure readiness, upgrading medical facilities, and advancing digital solutions. It aims to integrate high-population governorates, enabling more efficient and sustainable healthcare services. Through ambitious plans to develop hospitals, train medical professionals, and enhance service integration, the government seeks to guarantee universal access to quality healthcare, leveraging lessons learned from the first phase. Madbouly stated that the second phase of the comprehensive health insurance system requires enhanced collaboration, integration, and effective partnerships. Following the successes of the first phase, the government is fully committed to preparing for the next stage, which will include the governorates of Damietta, Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, Minya, and North Sinai. Additionally, consideration is being given to incorporating a major governorate that primarily relies on university hospitals, the private sector, and civil society for healthcare services. Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar emphasized Egypt's dedication to enhancing private sector participation in the country's healthcare infrastructure development. He highlighted the growing role of the private sector, noting that the share of private hospital beds increased from 21% in 2011 to 29.3% in 2022. Meanwhile, private hospitals now account for 63.3% of the total, up from 59% in 2011. This expansion reflects increasing confidence in private healthcare services and their crucial role in addressing rising medical care demands. Additionally, the private sector holds a significant share in Egypt's pharmaceutical market, contributing approximately 82% in recent years. At the forum, Stéphane Guimbert, the World Bank's Regional Director, praised Egypt's progress in reducing birth and mortality rates while increasing life expectancy. He commended Egypt's achievement of the World Health Organization's Gold Certification for eliminating hepatitis C and acknowledged the government's 'remarkable' efforts in expanding universal health coverage. Guimbert affirmed the World Bank's pride in partnering with Egypt on this initiative.
