Dr. Neama Said Abdel, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Egypt, emphasized that universal health insurance is a fundamental human right, and Egypt is actively working towards innovative solutions to ensure its accessibility. He commended Egypt’s leadership in the health sector, noting its achievements in eliminating Hepatitis C, eradicating malaria, and significantly reducing various diseases. He also highlighted the country’s remarkable progress in vaccination coverage and early breast cancer detection through the presidential Health for Women initiative.
Dr. Abdel underscored the importance of comprehensive health coverage, stating that leveraging the private sector’s services is vital in supporting innovation and equity in healthcare. He explained that the collaboration between the private and public sectors is not merely financial but focuses on building infrastructure and ensuring equitable services. He also expressed optimism that, through ongoing cooperation with the WHO, Egypt is moving closer to achieving universal health coverage for all its citizens.
In a parallel statement, Dr. Mohamed Awad Tageldin, the President’s Advisor for Health and Prevention Affairs, with over 50 years of experience in the healthcare sector, discussed the evolving landscape of healthcare in Egypt. He pointed out that healthcare has significantly improved over the years, particularly in the areas of infectious diseases and cancer. He clarified that while cancer diagnoses have increased, it is due to advancements in diagnostic techniques rather than a surge in cancer cases.
Dr. Tageldin highlighted the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, acknowledging that the public health insurance system requires support from the private sector to meet its goals. He emphasized the need for healthcare services under the universal health insurance system to be accessible not only to the wealthy but also to underserved populations. While healthcare services in Cairo and Alexandria are highly advanced, he noted that Egypt’s growing population requires expansion, especially in terms of hospital beds and healthcare infrastructure. He stressed the importance of investing in new hospitals and increasing the number of hospital beds to accommodate the rising demand for services.
He further noted that Egypt’s existing healthcare infrastructure, including advanced diagnostic equipment and intensive care units, could serve ten countries, highlighting the need to expand and modernize healthcare facilities. Currently, the universal health insurance program covers only 6 million people across six governorates, and there is a pressing need to increase the number of beds and streamline licensing processes for healthcare facilities to meet the country’s evolving needs.
Dr. Saad Sabra, Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), also spoke at the ongoing Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) Forum, in Cairo. He emphasized the potential for developing a healthcare system that ensures no one is left behind, expressing optimism for fruitful discussions and outcomes from the forum that could further the country’s healthcare goals.
This dialogue reflects Egypt’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage and fostering collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to ensure that healthcare is accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all Egyptians.
