Sisi orders implementation of health insurance system

CAIRO - 21 August 2019: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with a number of ministers on Wednesday to discuss several files including the newly implemented health insurance system.

According to a statement issued by presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady, Sisi called for implementing the health insurance system, taking into consideration the technical, human and medical sides to ensure the good quality of medical services.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait and Minister of Health Hala Zayed attended the meeting, according to the statement.

Rady added that the meeting tackled the health and population strategy with a focus on means to end the waiting lists of patients with critical cases, in addition to the executive steps to implement the health insurance system in Port Said.

On the presidential initiative on ending the waiting lists of patients with critical surgery cases, Rady said Minister Zayed reviewed the development of the initiative since its launch in 2018, adding that about 215,000 citizens have benefited from the initiative to-date.

President Sisi ordered the continuation of the initiative with the aim of treating more citizens and alleviating their burdens.

Earlier in July, Minister Zayed said that the comprehensive healthcare insurance system guarantees offering high-quality medical services to all segments of the society without any discrimination.

The new system gives beneficiaries the freedom to choose their health service providers and reduces personal spending on medical care, according to the statement that was issued following a press conference held by Prime Minister Madbouli to announce the launch of the new healthcare system in Port Said.

Financially challenged citizens will be exempted from subscription fees, the statement stressed.