Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the Egyptian government is investing more than EGP 25 billion in the development and modernization of five major healthcare facilities in Cairo and Giza, as part of an accelerated effort to expand access to high-quality medical services and integrate major hospitals into the Universal Health Insurance System.
Madbouly made the remarks in televised statements at the conclusion of a field tour conducted on Monday to inspect ongoing construction and upgrading works at several health facilities in the two governorates. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber, Giza Governor Adel El-Naggar, Major General Ali Abdel Naim of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, and Sherif Mostafa, Assistant Minister of Health for National Projects.
The prime minister said the visit was a direct response to public questions regarding the state’s commitment to the health and education sectors, stressing that both remain at the top of the government’s priority agenda. He noted that although Cairo and Giza are scheduled for later phases of the Universal Health Insurance rollout, extensive work is already underway to upgrade existing facilities in preparation for their accreditation under the system.
According to Madbouly, all five projects inspected during the tour are expected to be completed by the end of this year or, at the latest, early next year, allowing them to begin providing services to residents of Cairo, Giza, and other governorates. He highlighted the complexity of the projects, explaining that development is taking place within fully operational hospitals, requiring construction, expansion, and efficiency upgrades to proceed without disrupting ongoing medical services.
Among the projects is the comprehensive redevelopment and expansion of Dar Al-Salam Oncology Hospital, formerly known as Al-Hermel Hospital, which is being transformed into the Gustave Roussy Cancer Center under a partnership with the internationally renowned French oncology institution. Madbouly said the collaboration aims to deliver world-class cancer treatment services within Egypt.
The investment program also includes the construction of the new Bulaq Abu Al-Ela Hospital in central Cairo, as well as the development of a fully integrated medical city at Nasser Institute. The institute’s capacity is set to increase from its current 680 beds to more than 1,700 beds, through the addition of modern facilities equipped to international standards. Madbouly emphasized that despite the high level of care, services will continue to be provided at affordable costs to ordinary citizens.
During the tour, the prime minister also inspected development works at Om Al-Masryeen Hospital in Giza, where new buildings are being added, as well as Bulaq Al-Dakrour Hospital. He described the latter as comparable in quality to top private-sector hospitals in Egypt and the region, citing state-of-the-art medical equipment, advanced furnishings, and comprehensive services supported by highly trained medical staff operating around the clock.
Madbouly underscored the scale of public spending being directed toward improving healthcare quality, describing the projects as a model of the state’s broader efforts to enhance citizens’ quality of life in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives. He linked the healthcare investments to wider national initiatives, including the Universal Health Insurance System and the presidential “Haya Karima” initiative.
Despite Cairo and Giza not being included in the current phase of the insurance rollout, Madbouly said all newly developed facilities will be accredited under the system and will serve patients from across the country, particularly those from governorates lacking advanced medical services.
In closing, the prime minister thanked the Ministry of Health, the governors, and all teams involved in implementing the projects. He said contractors have been instructed to accelerate work on sites facing delays due to location constraints and the challenge of upgrading operating hospitals. He added that all parties have committed to meeting revised timelines, noting that once these medical complexes enter service, they will mark a significant improvement in the level and quality of healthcare provided to Egyptians.
