Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system and securing the resources necessary to support one of the state’s most significant national projects aimed at improving healthcare services and achieving comprehensive medical coverage across Egypt.
The remarks came during a meeting the premier chaired on Sunday to review proposed amendments to the UHI system Law and assess plans for expanding the system and securing financing for its second phase, following the successful implementation of the first phase in six governorates.
Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade Sherif Farouk, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid, Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority Ali El-Ghamrawy, Vice Chairman of the General Authority for Universal Health Insurance Ehab Abu Aish, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority Tarek El-Houby, and officials from relevant ministries and entities were present at the meeting.
During the meeting, Primer Madbouli stressed that the UHI system remains one of the state’s key national projects designed to achieve a major transformation in healthcare services and provide integrated, high-quality medical care for citizens across all governorates.
He noted that the first phase of the system had already been successfully implemented in six governorates — Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, South Sinai, Luxor and Aswan — contributing to improved healthcare quality and service efficiency.
He added that the government is moving forward with preparations for the launch of the second phase in five additional governorates, while also examining the future inclusion of Alexandria Governorate as part of plans to achieve nationwide healthcare coverage, Cabinet Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Homosani said in a statement.
Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stated that the UHI system, launched under Law No. 2 of 2018, aims to establish an integrated healthcare framework that guarantees quality medical services for all citizens.
He explained that the proposed amendments seek to strengthen governance mechanisms among the three main entities responsible for the system, improve resource sustainability and address practical challenges identified during implementation.
During the meeting, Vice Chairman of the General Authority for Universal Health Insurance Ehab Abu Aish presented key performance indicators, noting that the number of beneficiaries under the system has reached approximately 5.4 million across six governorates, with an average registration rate of 83.6 per cent among targeted populations.
He further noted that approximately 16 per cent of registered beneficiaries are individuals unable to afford healthcare services, highlighting the system’s social and humanitarian role in supporting vulnerable groups.
He added that private sector providers now account for 35 per cent of contracted healthcare service providers, while the total number of contracted entities had reached 582 as of April 2026, reflecting continued efforts to expand access to healthcare and strengthen partnerships across the sector.
