Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, chairman of the Egypt Health Care Authority and Supervisor of the universal health insurance and Hayat Karema projects at the Ministry of Health and Population, highlighted the crucial role of governance in translating health policy goals into actionable strategies. He stressed that effective governance enables the formulation and implementation of evidence-based policies that are responsive to the needs of citizens and align with international standards and best practices. These policies, he noted, guide the health system towards achieving comprehensive health coverage and health security.
Dr. El-Sobky emphasized that the modern Egyptian health system has enhanced governance to ensure the quality of health services provided and achieve health equity, which has contributed to improving efficiency, transparency, and developing services offered to citizens, thereby enhancing access to sustainable health development in line with Egypt's Vision 2030.
This was discussed during Dr. El-Sobky's participation in the first Health Sector Governance Forum in Cairo 2024, attended by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Ashraf Hatem, Chair of the Health Committee at the House of Representatives and former Minister of Health, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Executive Director of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, and Dr. Hossam El Masri, Secretary of the Medical Affairs for the Cabinet, along with other leaders, officials, and experts in the fields of health care and governance.
Dr. El-Sobky participated in the first discussion session of the forum, titled "About the Importance of Health Care Governance," which included Dr. Ahmed Taha, President of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Care Supervision; Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, CEO of the Egyptian Health Council; Dr. Hossam Hosni, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Health Council; Dr. Ahmed Sayyam, representing the General Authority for Comprehensive Health Insurance; and was moderated by Dr. Ahmed Wahid, a consultant in hospital management.
In his address, Dr. El-Sobky pointed out that governance is the main axis in building health care systems according to global health systems. He added that governance in the health sector is based on a triangular relationship organization among politicians, leaders, decision-makers, health service providers, and recipients, which enhances efficiency, transparency, and enlightened management towards responding to citizens' health needs and achieving comprehensive health coverage and health justice.
Dr. El-Sobky also remarked on the role of governance in reshaping Egypt's health landscape through the establishment of the three bodies within the comprehensive health insurance system, affirming the strategic role of the Ministry of Health and Population, and the creation of the Unified Procurement Authority, the Egyptian Drug Authority, and the Egyptian Health Council. He highlighted the importance of involving all governmental, private, and non-governmental sectors in building and developing health.
Furthermore, Dr. El-Sobky stated that the modern, governed Egyptian health system, endorsed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is steadily progressing towards success and the development of health services, affirming the Egyptian state's ability to fulfill Egyptians' dreams of obtaining dignified health care and enhancing comprehensive health coverage in Egypt and the region. He noted that Egypt is working in a direction that aligns with the developments in the Arab world.
Dr. El-Sobky concluded by emphasizing that the forum provides an ideal platform to discuss the role of health care governance in enhancing the health system in Egypt and the region, exchange knowledge, best practices, and promote national, regional, and international cooperation in this context to achieve comprehensive health coverage and global health goals. He expressed his wishes for the successful first edition of the forum and appreciated the efforts of all those involved in organizing it from the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, affiliated with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and the Egyptian Cabinet’s Medical Affairs Secretariat.
