Almost dozen million Egyptians to obtain state-funded subscription in health insurance

CAIRO – 1 September 2024: President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi instructed Sunday the inclusion of the 8.5 million beneficiaries of the monetary subsidies programme in the universal insurance system as well as irregular workers in the constructions sector through state-funded subscriptions.

The annual cost will be LE10 billion, and will increase as the plan is to include irregular workers in the other sectors. In a July statement, the Cabinet indicated that Egypt had 11.8 million irregular workers contributing by 40 percent in the country's GDP.

Those are concentrated in the sectors of transportation, constructions, agriculture, fishing, baking, and pedestrian vending. However, only 2.1 million are registered at the Ministry of Social Solidarity for benefits.  

The president's directive was made during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and his deputy for human development, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, who also serves as minister of health and population.

 

The meeting focused on the aspects of the national project on human development dubbed "A New Start for Building A Human" and whose goal is strengthening the Egyptian identity. It consists of initiatives in the sectors of healthcare, education, culture, sport and employment.

Those will be implemented through partnerships between public, private sectors and civil society. Currently, the executive plan is being finalized.

In a related context, the president followed up on the progress rate of modernizing Nasser Institute - to be named Nile Medical City - and Dar El Salam Cancer Hospital Harmal, and of establishing central labs in Badr City.

With regard to the introduction of the Universal Health Insurance System, the president instructed speeding up the upgrading and construction of 30 hospitals and 500 healthcare units within the second phase comprising Damietta, Menya, Kafr El Sheikh, North Sinai and Matrouh.

In a related context, studies are underway to create a medical city in the New Capital, luring private investors. Further, the meeting included discussions on the governmental endeavors to encourage more investments in the pharmaceutical sector.

The prime minister and his deputy also presented the latest outcomes of the presidential initiatives on ending waiting lists and on psychological healthcare. In that respect, the president instructed establishing more asylums, including an establishment to be called 'Sakina' (Arabic for serenity) in New Alamain, and that will also consist of a rehab section.

President Sisi also urged accelerating the development of Khanka Mental Health Hospital in Qalyoubiyah governorate, and constructing medical centers that can accommodate prolonged stays for the elderly and disabled.