During the conference titled "The First Phase of Universal Health Insurance: Achievements and Lessons Learned," Dr. Ahmed El-Sabki, chairman of the Egypt Health Care Authority and supervisor of the universal health insurance and decent life projects at the Ministry of Health and Population, delivered a recorded speech. He discussed the collaboration among the three universal health insurance bodies to realize the political leadership's vision of universal health coverage.
Dr. El-Sabki highlighted that 228 medical facilities have been accredited under various levels according to the national standards set by the Egypt Health Care Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision (GAHAR), which are also recognized by the international ESCWA organization.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to internationally recognized accreditation standards and leveraging the expertise of GAHAR to qualify the authority's facilities and train staff, ensuring high-quality clinical practices within these facilities.
The Vice-President of the Egypt Health Care Authority noted that five million beneficiaries across the first-phase governorates have received over 44 million medical services that adhere to the highest international quality standards. This includes 27 million family medicine services and more than half a million surgical interventions, which have achieved globally high success rates.
He outlined the key focus areas during the first phase, which included clinical governance, human resource development, beneficiary satisfaction, medical tourism, the use of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and digital transformation.
The Egypt Health Care Authority also recognized eight health facilities that achieved accreditation according to the national GAHAR standards, which are acknowledged by ESCWA. These facilities are located in the governorates included in the first phase of the universal health insurance.
In his recorded address, Dr. El-Sabki described the universal health insurance system as a pivotal achievement during the tenure of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, stating that the system has transformed Egypt’s health landscape and has brought about an unprecedented leap, placing it at the forefront of Egypt's health scene. He highlighted the united effort of the universal health insurance bodies towards fulfilling the dream of universal health coverage for all Egyptians by 2030.
The conference was attended by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Nevin El-Kabbaj, Minister of Social Solidarity; Dr. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, Presidential Advisor for Health and Prevention; Dr. Ahmed Taha, President of the Egypt Health Care Authority for Accreditation and Health Supervision; and other distinguished guests from the health sector and civil society.
Dr. Hany Rashed, Vice-President of the Egypt Health Care Authority, also addressed the conference. He expressed deep gratitude for the Egyptian state’s ongoing efforts over the years to enhance public health and the persistent commitment to providing comprehensive, high-quality medical services as a right for all Egyptians, not just those who can afford it.
He noted that the Egypt Health Care Authority has introduced precise and exceptional operational methods through the application of clinical governance standards and the introduction of various diagnostic services to ensure the continuity of high-quality health care.
To conclude the conference, several health facilities from the first-phase governorates that achieved GAHAR accreditation were honored, celebrating their dedication to maintaining high standards in delivering health services.
