World Bank backs expansion of Egypt’s universal health insurance
The World Bank reaffirmed its support for Egypt’s healthcare reform programme on Thursday as the government prepares to expand the second phase of its Universal Health Insurance System, following a visit by senior World Bank officials to Ismailia.
The delegation, led by Pascal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, visited the Sheikh Zayed Family Medicine Centre to review progress under the national health insurance programme and discuss future cooperation with Egyptian authorities.
The delegation met Ahmed El Sobky, chairman of the General Authority for Healthcare (GAH), and general supervisor of the Universal Health Insurance project, along with officials from the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA).
During the visit, Egyptian officials showcased the country’s family medicine model, digital health systems, unified electronic medical records, clinical governance framework, and quality accreditation standards developed under the Universal Health Insurance System.
El Sobky said Egypt had continued investing in healthcare infrastructure, digital transformation and quality standards to improve primary healthcare services and support the expansion of universal health coverage.
“The World Bank remains one of Egypt’s key strategic partners in implementing healthcare reform, particularly in primary healthcare, digital transformation, and capacity building,” El Sobky said.
He added that expanding universal health coverage remained a national priority under Egypt Vision 2030.
Ameer ElTelwan, CEO of the Egyptian Healthcare Authority, said the authority had developed an integrated operating model for primary healthcare facilities based on quality standards, governance and digitalisation, to support preparations for the programme’s second phase.
Hossam Sadek, executive director of the Universal Health Insurance Authority, said coordination between the Healthcare Authority, responsible for service delivery, and the Universal Health Insurance Authority, which oversees financing and strategic purchasing, had been central to implementing the first phase of the programme.
World Bank officials said Egypt’s healthcare reform programme had become an important regional example of expanding universal health coverage through stronger primary healthcare services, family medicine, and digital health systems. They reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting the next phase of the programme.
Egypt launched the Universal Health Insurance System in 2019, with implementation taking place in phases to gradually extend comprehensive health coverage across all governorates. The second phase is expected to expand the programme to additional governorates as part of the government’s broader healthcare reform strategy.
The delegation included Ousmane Dione, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa; Stephane Guimbert, Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti; Ari Naim, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa; and Sherin Varkey, Lead Health Specialist for Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Eritrea, Africa, AFR at World Bank.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English