File Photo: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Photo courtesy of The Egyptian Cabinet Facebook page.
Madbouly's remarks came during Sunday's annual Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) forum.
The prime minister clarified that the first phase, which involved six million citizens in six governorates, cost over EGP 51 billion and that the funds were spent improving healthcare facilities.
The six-phase healthcare scheme started experimentally in Port Said in 2018 and later expanded to Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Aswan.
Ihab Abu Aish, vice chairman of the UHIA, revealed that the second phase, expected to begin in July, will cover the governorates of Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya, according to local news website Youm7.
Madbouly also described the UHI as a national dream that is being fulfilled through the leadership’s vision, the government’s determination, and the people's participation.
He said the UHI is “the largest structural reform project aiming to develop the healthcare system.”
Madbouly affirmed that it provides all segments of society with access to healthcare services without discrimination, with the state bearing the expenses of the neediest groups.
He stressed that the system's success depends on collaboration between the state, the private sector, and various health institutions to provide comprehensive and sustainable health insurance coverage for Egyptian citizens.
Moreover, he urged everyone to contribute to "this great national journey" with their ideas, investments, and expertise to build a more efficient, just, and sustainable health system.
During the forum, Presidential Adviser for Health Affairs Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din also said Egypt is on track to achieve universal health insurance coverage for all its citizens by 2030.
Egypt has ongoing agreements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the World Bank, the French Development Agency, and the World Health Organization to finance the country's UHIS, including a $1 billion facility.
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