Egypt’s Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, head of the Universal Healthcare Insurance Authority (UHIA), asserted that Egypt is moving ahead with a strong political will towards achieving the Egyptians’ dream of a comprehensive healthcare coverage that is considered a key tool for introducing a reform in the health sector, ensure the best funding methods as well as ease the financial burdens of the health services on citizens.
In a statement released on Sunday, Maait said the government spending on health increased in the first nine months of the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 by 10 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year. It is targeted to increase by 15 per cent in the upcoming fiscal year, added the minister.
The minister said, on the occasion of releasing the National Health Accounts (NHA) Report, the State’s efforts helped in providing top-notch healthcare services to citizens through launching several presidential health services as Egypt has become the first country to be announced free from Hepatitis C by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This has greatly contributed to easing financial burdens on citizens suffering from the disease.
He said NHA Report is assisting the state’s bodies concerned to adjust the spending tracks of the health system, providing necessary financial resources for upgrading the infrastructure in governorates, guarantee sustainability and raising the quality of health services to citizens to comply with the international standards.
As per governmental investments in the health sector, Maait pointed out that investment allocations for health increased by 20 per cent over the past few years, reflecting a positive progress in the services offered in line with Egypt’s vision for 2030.
UHIA will also continue to study the best methods for providing healthcare through benefiting from the international expertise in cooperation with the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and WHO in order to realise a radical change in the Egyptian health system.
