Health Minister says state targets raising healthy life expectancy to 75 years by 2030

CAIRO – 2 June 2026: Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, affirmed that healthcare spending has become a key driver of economic and social growth, announcing the state's target of raising healthy life expectancy to 75 years by 2030.

He said this goal will be achieved through strengthening primary healthcare, prevention, and early detection.

The minister emphasized the importance of shifting from treating disease to predicting and preventing it, describing this approach as a true investment in human capital and the future of the nation.

He stressed that health economics has become a vital pillar serving the public good, noting that health is no longer limited to curative services alone but is now closely linked to economic security, social stability, and the Sustainable Development Goals. He added that countries that have invested in their health sectors have achieved more sustainable economic growth.

In press statements, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar reviewed Egypt's pioneering experience in this field, supported by presidential initiatives and the Comprehensive Health Insurance Project, which he described as a model of health equity and social solidarity.

He noted that the system covers more than 3,500 health services, with beneficiary satisfaction serving as a fundamental pillar. He also pointed to a significant decrease in out-of-pocket healthcare spending in Port Said Governorate following the system's implementation.

For his part, Dr. Nima Abid, the World Health Organization's representative in Egypt, praised the country's significant achievements in the health sector, noting that its comprehensive health coverage experience represents an important evidence-based model.

He emphasized that the success of reforms requires building institutional capacity and strengthening regional cooperation, and stressed the organization's continued support for Egypt's efforts.