Egypt is preparing to launch its universal health insurance system in Minya, home to around seven million residents, making it the first governorate to join the programme’s second phase, Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Population, Abdel Ghaffar chaired a meeting of the Universal Health Insurance Coordination Committee during a field visit to Minya to review final preparations ahead of the system’s rollout.
The minister said the programme would initially operate on a one-year trial basis, allowing for continuous evaluation and improvement while ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
He stressed the importance of applying lessons learned from the first phase of the scheme and called for stronger institutional coordination among all stakeholders involved in implementation.
Abdel Ghaffar also highlighted the role of university hospitals and the private sector as key partners in ensuring the success of the system. He thanked the relevant authorities for their efforts in preparing healthcare facilities administratively, technically, and medically for integration into the new framework.
The ministry said the meeting reviewed the readiness of 10 hospitals scheduled to be transferred to the General Authority for Healthcare as part of their integration into the universal health insurance system.
It added that 60 primary healthcare facilities—including 49 health units and 11 medical centres—have been equipped to serve approximately 1.283 million residents. Of these, 29 facilities have already received accreditation from the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR).
Digital transformation systems have also been activated in 15 healthcare facilities as part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare services and strengthen electronic connectivity across the sector.
The minister directed officials to provide all requirements necessary to complete preparations and maintain the highest quality standards, including the availability of specialised and complex surgical services within the governorate.
Minya Governor Emad El Kadwany said the implementation of the system would represent a “qualitative leap” in healthcare services across the governorate, improving both access to and quality of care for residents.
Meanwhile, Minya University President Essam El-Din Sadeq said the university is ready to participate through its nine hospitals, which have a combined capacity of 1,700 beds, including four hospitals accredited by GAHAR.
Following the meeting, Abdel Ghaffar met with members of parliament to discuss ways to coordinate efforts, address implementation challenges, and ensure the successful rollout of the new healthcare system in the governorate.
