Healthcare authority covers 50.5% of budget deficit

CAIRO - 1 August 2024: The General Authority for Healthcare's Board of Directors approved the final account and performance report for the fiscal year 2023/2024 during its 76th regular meeting.

The meeting, chaired by Dr. Ahmed El Sobky, the Chairman of the Board and General Supervisor of the Comprehensive Health Insurance and "Decent Life" projects at the Ministry of Health and Population, took place at the Authority’s headquarters in Cairo, where several important topics were discussed, and significant decisions were made.

The General Authority for Healthcare's Board highlighted the successful delivery of approximately 48 million health services to beneficiaries of the comprehensive insurance system in six governorates: Port Said, Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Aswan, and Suez. The goal remains to achieve the highest levels of quality and citizen satisfaction.

The Board also noted that, for the first time, it managed to cover 50.5% of the budget deficit, with a revenue increase of 64% compared to the previous fiscal year. This achievement comes despite a 70% increase in medical service costs due to rising input costs, exchange rate changes, and inflation.

Revenues from medical tourism programs exceeded $2.1 million. The Board confirmed the implementation of political directives to continue efforts to double foreign exchange earnings and expand the Health Care Authority’s medical tourism program, "We Care for You in Egypt."

The Board approved a doubled discount for the medical examination fees for non-enrolled schoolchildren while continuing to provide free services for those enrolled in the system and exempt categories as per government directives to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.

Dr. Ahmed El Sobky announced that the Health Care Authority's selection as an international partner for three of the world's largest health insurance companies – BUPA, Allianz, and AXA – is a testament to its medical reputation and accounting discipline, particularly in claims management.

Dr. El Sobky emphasized the Authority's achievements in enhancing healthcare quality across various specialties. The Authority ranks first among government and private sectors in obtaining national (GAHAR) and international (JCI) accreditation. Additionally, it has established an electronic system for reporting adverse events (E-OVR), operational guidelines, and excellence in international improvement initiatives and competitions, including those by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Saudi German Health.

Dr. El Sobky noted that the spending on medical services for beneficiaries of the comprehensive health insurance system in six governorates exceeded 12 billion EGP for the fiscal year 2023/2024. This spending was funded by the state’s general budget and the Authority's resources from comprehensive health insurance claims.

Continuous state support for the Health Care Authority reflects the political leadership’s commitment to improving the healthcare system, keeping pace with global developments, and maintaining the level of health services provided to citizens despite rising healthcare service input costs.

The Board approved the Authority’s and its affiliates' participation in the mandatory training network for university hospital students, according to the Supreme Committee for Supervision's regulations.

The Board decided to form a review and governance committee, chaired by Dr. Ahmed El Sobky and composed of independent board members, to oversee the executive work of the Authority and conduct regular field visits to its health facilities. The committee includes:

Dr. Ahmed El Sobky, Chairman of the Board, Committee Chairman

Dr. Hany Rashid, Deputy Chairman, Committee Rapporteur

Dr. Farid Moharram, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Ain Shams University, Committee Member

Dr. Ibrahim Fakhr, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Committee Member

Dr. Mahmoud El Shahhat, Director General of Internal Audit, Committee Member

The General Authority for Healthcare's Board of Directors meets monthly to discuss key topics related to work development proposals, policies, and future planning to ensure the continued regulation and delivery of high-quality healthcare services to beneficiaries of the comprehensive health insurance system and all stakeholders.