This came during a meeting held with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar.

According to the Egyptian presidency, this expansion of health insurance coverage, at EGP 10 billion annually, reflects the president's commitment to strengthening social protection programs.

During the meeting, the president reviewed the key components of the national human development project 'A New Beginning for Building the Human'.

The project includes initiatives in health, education, culture, sports, and job creation.

It also includes integrating efforts between government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure equitable access to state resources and improve the quality of life for citizens.

The meeting also followed up on the transformation of the Nasser Institute to become a state-of-the-art Nile Medical City, the establishment of central laboratories in Badr City, and the development of the Dar Al-Salam Hermel Cancer Center in collaboration with Gustave Roussy Institute.

The president emphasized the importance of completing the construction and development of 30 hospitals and 500 medical units and centres in the second phase of the comprehensive health insurance system, which includes the governorates of Damietta, Minya, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Matrouh.

Minister Abdel Ghaffar also briefed the president on the progress of studies for the Capital Medical City project, which aims to revolutionize medical services in Egypt and the region by utilizing advanced technologies and artificial intelligence.

The meeting also addressed the government's efforts to localize pharmaceutical manufacturing and encourage investment in the production of medicines and medical supplies, in light of global supply chain crises.

Furthermore, the president was updated on the progress of mental health initiatives and eliminating waiting lists.

He instructed the government to start work on the Sakina Hospital for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment in New Alamein City and to expedite the transformation of the Khanka Mental Health Hospital in Qalyoubia into a state-of-the-art medical complex.