At the End of 2024: Egypt Healthcare Authority Highlights Achievements of Universal Health Insurance in the Canal Region Governorates
Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairman of Egypt Healthcare Authority and General Supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance Project, announced the key achievements of the Universal Health Insurance system in the Canal Region governorates (Port Said, Ismailia, South Sinai, and Suez). These milestones mark the progress since the launch of the system in July 2019, initiated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the historic leader of healthcare reform in Egypt, starting with a pilot phase in Port Said and culminating in the official launch in Suez in December 2024.
Dr. El-Sobky revealed that the Universal Health Insurance system in the Canal Region has registered approximately 2.5 million citizens, with an operational cost exceeding EGP 25.5 billion to date. The system has delivered 36.6 million medical and therapeutic services through 157 healthcare facilities affiliated with the Authority in the region. This includes:
Dr. El-Sobky described the Canal Region as a model of excellence in implementing the Universal Health Insurance system, which is based on digital transformation, automation, and global quality standards. He highlighted that citizen satisfaction rates have surpassed 90%, underscoring the system’s success in delivering comprehensive and distinguished healthcare services.
More than 300,000 surgeries and medical interventions have been performed across the Canal Region’s healthcare facilities, achieving global success rates. These include highly precise surgeries being conducted for the first time under the Universal Health Insurance system. He emphasized that citizens pay no more than EGP 450 as a co-payment, regardless of the operation’s total cost, with some procedures exceeding EGP 1 million outside the system.
The Authority’s 130 family medicine units and centers in the Canal Region have provided over 19.5 million family medicine services and conducted 1.8 million comprehensive medical examinations. Dr. El-Sobky noted that family medicine facilities serve as the primary gateway for citizens to access healthcare under the Universal Health Insurance system.
The Authority has achieved full automation of 100% of family medicine units and centers and 90% of hospitals in the Canal Region. This has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Additionally, 132 healthcare facilities have been accredited according to the standards of the General Authority for Accreditation and Health Regulation (GAHAR), recognized internationally by ISQua.
Dr. El-Sobky emphasized that the progress in the Canal Region represents a significant milestone in the broader rollout of the Universal Health Insurance system across Egypt. The Authority is committed to continuously enhancing the quality of healthcare services in line with global standards, contributing to the health and safety of citizens and advancing Egypt’s vision for universal health coverage.
He concluded that the achievements in the Canal Region have strengthened public trust in the Universal Health Insurance system as a cornerstone for sustainable healthcare services. These accomplishments reflect the Authority’s dedication to creating a healthcare model that meets the aspirations of citizens and supports the nation’s goals for comprehensive and equitable healthcare access.
