President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi addresses the Egyptian people to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the June 30 Revolution, on June 30, 2018 - Press photo/Presidency
CAIRO – 7 July 2018: The first phase of the new national health insurance law was launched Friday, according to presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady.
In an official statement issued July 6, Rady said the first phase of the new law includes preliminary procedures for the full implementation of the law, including:
“The elimination of patient waiting lists for surgery and critical medical interventions within six months, providing the needed stocks of infant formula and vaccines, and finishing the comprehensive survey and treatment of Hepatitis C virus for Egyptian citizens.”
Last December, Egypt’s Parliament approved the new national health insurance law, raising a stormy debate between the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, which opposes the draft law, and parliamentarians. The law was criticized for imposing more burden on the individual's income is feared as the law raises monthly insurance fees.
CAIRO - 21 December 2017: The Egyptian Parliament finally approved the new national health insurance law, raising a stormy debate between the Egyptian Medical Syndicate opposing the draft law and parliamentarians. After fruitful discussion that took over a month, Minister of Health and Population Ahmed Emad Eddin announced on December 19 the approval of the Council of Representatives on all articles of the new comprehensive universal health insurance law.
After discussions that took over a month, former Minister of Health and Population Ahmed Emad Eddin announced on Dec. 19 the parliament’s approval of all articles of the new comprehensive universal health insurance law.
Egypt's health system has been criticized for years for not meeting standards. The new health insurance law proposed in October 2017 is considered a new government bid to overcome the shortcomings of the old system that was deemed inadequate and insufficiently safeguarding patients' rights.
Lawmakers defended the new law as it would boost the quality of health services in public hospitals. The old law covered health services for governmental and seasonal workers, while the newly approved amendments guarantee the same medical services to all citizens.
Despite the positive impact hoped from the new law, more burdens on citizens’ income are feared as the law raises monthly insurance fees. Given the difficult economic conditions, the law amendments "would place a large burden on low-income families," Dr. Mohamed Hassan Khalil, coordinator of an independent health organization, told Egypt Today.
CAIRO - 21 December 2017: The Egyptian Parliament finally approved the new national health insurance law, raising a stormy debate between the Egyptian Medical Syndicate opposing the draft law and parliamentarians. After fruitful discussion that took over a month, Minister of Health and Population Ahmed Emad Eddin announced on December 19 the approval of the Council of Representatives on all articles of the new comprehensive universal health insurance law.
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