Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, held a meeting with Dr. Mohamed Farid, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT Minister), in the presence of officials from relevant entities, to discuss mechanisms for developing the universal health insurance system and strengthening cooperation with the private sector. The aim is to expand coverage and improve the quality of services provided to citizens with greater efficiency and speed.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar welcomed the Minister and the team, noting that the meeting comes within the framework of presenting and discussing innovative visions and ideas that contribute to bringing about a qualitative leap in the implementing stages of the system, stressing that the universal health insurance is proceeding at a steady and well-regulated pace that has proven its success in the first phase, with the continued intensive efforts to complete the preparations for the second phase and ensure the sustainability of development and comprehensive coverage for all citizens.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry’s official spokesman, explained that the meeting discussed the possibility of enhancing cooperation and coordination with insurance companies within the system’s framework, in a way that supports expanding healthcare coverage in a shorter timeframe. He referred to a cooperation protocol that brings together the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA), and the Insurers Federation of Egypt (IFE), to study proposals and develop an effective operational model that achieves integration between government entities and the private sector.
The meeting reviewed a proposed model that begins with mapping insurance companies’ networks, identifying the number of insured individuals, and assessing the coverage gap. This is followed by developing an operational model that defines market needs, in preparation for launching a transparent tender process to select and contract with the most suitable partners. The Minister directed the formation of a joint working group including representatives from all relevant entities to study the proposal in an integrated manner, with the possibility of launching a pilot implementation in one governorate before nationwide expansion.
On his part, Dr. Mohamed Farid emphasized that MIFT places great importance on strengthening partnership with the private sector in vital sectors, particularly healthcare, to support the State’s efforts to expand coverage and improve service efficiency. He noted that cooperation with insurance companies maximizes the utilization of available expertise and capabilities and accelerates the achievement of universal coverage through integrated business models that preserve the State’s regulatory role while ensuring financial sustainability and high quality.
He added that MIFT is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and all relevant entities to formulate the best mechanisms to support this cooperation, in a way that reinforces structural reforms and contributes to improving citizens’ quality of life through more efficient and widely accessible healthcare services.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Deputy Chairman of the FRA; Dr. Ehab Abu Eish, UHIA Vice Chairman; Dr. Ahmed Mostafa, Head of the Health Insurance Authority; Mr. Abed Mehran, MIFT Assistant Minister; Ms. Mai Farid, UHIA Chief Executive officer; Dr. Rasha ElSharqawy, Head of the Central Administration for Strategic Management; Dr. Heba Atef, Chief Provide Affairs Officer (UHIA); and Dr. Mohamed ElAkkad, General Manager of Curative Sector-Ministry of Health.
