Egypt, Lebanon sign MoU to share expertise on universal health insurance

Egypt and Lebanon have signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to exchange expertise in universal health insurance, with Beirut seeking to draw on Cairo’s experience to develop its healthcare system and expand access to medical services.

Egyptian Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and his Lebanese counterpart Rakan Nassereldine discussed broader healthcare cooperation during a meeting in Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.

The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between the Egyptian Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) and Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.

The agreement covers exchanging expertise and best practices in strategic purchasing of healthcare services, health financing, health technology assessment, and economic studies, the ministry said.

It also provides for joint conferences, workshops, and training programmes, professional staff exchanges, and a joint coordination committee to oversee implementation.

Nassereldine praised Egypt’s technical and medical support to Lebanon during recent events and expressed interest in drawing on the Egyptian experience in primary healthcare and universal health insurance, according to the statement.

The agreement is intended to strengthen healthcare cooperation between the two countries and support efforts to improve Lebanon’s health system and broaden access to medical services.