Photo courtesy of Egypt's cabinet
Authority Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky said the procedure, which can cost up to EGP 1 million in the private sector, was provided to the beneficiary for only EGP 482 as the prescribed co-payment under the Universal Health Insurance system.
The authority described the intervention as a new medical achievement that reflects efforts to localize advanced treatment technologies in governorates covered by the Universal Health Insurance system, allowing patients to receive specialized care without travelling outside their governorates.
El-Sobky stressed that the procedure marks “a qualitative step” in introducing precise interventional treatments in the authority’s hospitals and confirms the system’s ability to provide advanced medical services in line with international standards.
The patient had suffered from severe chronic hypertension that was resistant to medication, with blood pressure readings reaching 200/120 despite intensive treatment with six different antihypertensive drugs at maximum therapeutic doses.
The authority said the condition had negatively affected the patient’s heart muscle and kidney functions and increased the risk of serious complications.
After evaluating the case in accordance with the latest medical protocols, the medical team decided to perform renal denervation via interventional catheterization.
Renal denervation is a modern technique used to treat resistant hypertension.
It uses radiofrequency waves to reduce excessive nerve activity around the renal arteries, helping to gradually lower blood pressure, reduce complications, and improve the patient’s health.
El-Sobky said the procedure was performed using precise catheterization of the femoral artery, without surgical intervention.
He added that making such advanced procedures available under Universal Health Insurance reflects the system’s role in reducing financial burdens on patients while expanding access to high-quality healthcare.
El-Sobky also said the Fayrouz Medical Complex continues to strengthen its position as an advanced medical centre capable of handling critical and complex cases using the latest interventional catheterization technologies.
He praised the medical team involved in the procedure, saying the success reflected the integration of medical expertise, modern equipment, and teamwork inside the authority’s facilities.
The renal denervation procedure at the Fayrouz Medical Complex fits into a wider push by EHA to turn South Sinai into a hub for advanced care under the UHIS, rather than referring patients to Cairo or other major cities.
Earlier in June, the complex performed its first advanced cancer surgeries using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, including a colon cancer resection and a complex thyroid operation.
The authority said these surgeries reflected efforts to localize highly complex medical services in South Sinai, with patient contributions not exceeding EGP 482 under UHIS.
In May, the complex carried out sophisticated chronic total occlusion coronary interventions for four patients and completed its second Mitral Clip procedure.
South Sinai is among the governorates included in the first phase of Egypt’s national health insurance rollout. Dahab and Nuweiba were set to receive two new hospitals as part of the scheme, at a combined construction cost of EGP 1.3 billion.
Nationally, UHIS is one of Egypt’s flagship healthcare reform programmes. The system had delivered more than 105 million medical services under its first phase, which covered Port Said, Ismailia, Luxor, South Sinai, Suez, and Aswan.
The government allocated more than EGP 115 billion for the second phase, covering Minya, Matrouh, Damietta, Kafr El-Sheikh, and North Sinai.
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