The Board of Directors of the Healthcare Authority, chaired by Dr. Ahmed El-Sobki, Chairman of the Board and Supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance Project, has approved the establishment of Egypt’s first specialized center for telemedicine and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. The initiative aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and advance virtual healthcare services in the country.
This announcement came during the 81st regular meeting of the Board, where a range of significant topics related to the development of healthcare services and operational performance were discussed.
Professional Development and Ongoing Training Center for Healthcare Workforce
In addition to the telemedicine initiative, the Board of Directors also approved, in principle, the creation of a training and continuous professional development center to qualify healthcare personnel within the Authority. This center will ensure the highest global standards in developing the skills and competencies of the Authority’s workforce.
Free Healthcare Services for Egyptian Hajj Pilgrims
As part of its ongoing efforts to expand healthcare services, the Board agreed to offer a package of free medical services to Egyptian pilgrims who benefit from the comprehensive health insurance system. Among these services are teleconsultations through the “Beltou” app, providing virtual medical consultations, as well as ongoing medical follow-up via a dedicated call center, which will continue until the pilgrims return from the holy sites.
Revamping Healthcare Services for Women and Children
The Board also approved the renaming and restructuring of the “Houd El-Ders” hospital in Suez Governorate. It will now be called the “Dar Sehat El-Mara wa El-Tifl” (Women and Child Health Center in Suez). The restructured center will focus on providing specialized healthcare packages for women and children, in line with an integrated vision to meet their specific healthcare needs.
Approval of New Pricing Regulations and Report Submission
The meeting concluded with the Board’s approval of the third edition of the non-beneficiary service price list and regulations for health insurance intermediaries and private medical insurance companies. Additionally, the final report from the Asset Handover Committee in Suez and Ismailia Governorates was approved, in line with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2679 of 2024.
Board Members and Key Attendees
The 81st meeting of the Board of Directors received Dr. Ihab Abou-Eish, Vice Chairman of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Osama Abdel-Hai, General Secretary of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, Dr. Sami Saad, General Secretary of the Egyptian Physical Therapy Syndicate, and Dr. Fayed Moharram, Health Cost Accounting Expert and Economic Advisor to the Healthcare Authority. Other attendees included Dr. Ibrahim Fakher, Member of the Civil Society and Healthcare Expert, Counselor Mohamed Farouk Mousa, Deputy Chairman of the State Council, and key members who joined via Zoom: Dr. Faten Abdel-Aziz, Professor at the Egyptian Drug Authority and Member of the Pharmacists’ Union, Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud, Head of the Nursing Syndicate and Member of the Senate, Dr. Wael Abdel-Aal, Civil Society Member of the Board of Directors, as well as other high-ranking officials from the Healthcare Authority.
From the Healthcare Authority, Dr. Amir El-Talwany, Executive Director, Dr. Ahmed Hammad, Advisor to the President of the Authority for Health Policies and Systems, and other key staff, including Dr. Gamal Rattaba, Chief Actuarial Advisor, and Lieutenant General Sherif Bilal, Assistant Executive Director for Engineering Affairs and Projects, also attended the meeting.
