Egypt Daily News – Since President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi assumed political responsibility in Egypt, he has implemented the largest health reform program in the nation’s history aimed at enhancing medical services and reducing the healthcare burden for citizens.
Key achievements include an increase in health insurance coverage, which expanded from 50% to 70% of the population. This comprehensive health insurance system initiated in phases, starting with five governorates and later extending to six more.
The government has made considerable investments in healthcare infrastructure, marked by a 30% increase in health units, a 25% rise in hospital numbers, and a 35% increase in medical services offered since 2013. Additionally, health-related services such as vaccinations and vital statistics have been digitized in over 520 health offices nationwide.
The ambulance fleet has also seen significant enhancements, growing by 50% to improve emergency medical services, which have increased service delivery by 30%.
Crucial services such as intensive care and neonatal care have expanded, with a 40% rise in ICU beds and a 20% increase in incubators since 2013, despite the total annual birth rate of approximately 2.6 million remaining stable.
In combating hepatitis C, Egypt has made significant strides, reducing the prevalence of the virus from 10% to 0.38% over more than a decade. By providing the latest treatments at minimal costs and doubling the number of treatment centers, around five million individuals previously infected have successfully undergone treatment.
Vaccination efforts have also improved, with routine vaccination coverage increasing from 90% in 2013 to 97% today, and new vaccines have been introduced, particularly in collaboration with the World Health Organization to combat polio.
Furthermore, the state has initiated premarital screening services that identify hereditary disease risks, benefiting nearly two million citizens. For the first time, children under two suffering from these diseases can now access treatment, with substantial costs covered.
The “100 Million Health Initiative” has successfully screened over 100 million citizens at no cost and provided approximately 140 million medical services.
In the pharmaceutical sector, a drug tracking system has been established alongside a unified registration system, resulting in a booming market valued at 277 billion Egyptian pounds with significant growth in pharmaceutical production and factory establishment.
