Progress for Egypt’s universal healthcare

The primary role of GAAHC is to monitor transparency, set healthcare quality standards, and to supervise the compliance of healthcare service providers with national and international standards.

GAAHC will also select the service providers to include within the programme’s network. Private and public healthcare providers are under an obligation to obtain an accreditation certificate from GAAHC within three years from the effective implementation of the universal healthcare program in their respective governorate.

GAHC is a public services authority with an independent budget, which is subject to the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP). The main role of the GAHC is to regulate the healthcare service providers and supervise the provision of healthcare services.

GAUHI is an economic authority with an independent budget. The main role of the GAUHI is to finance the universal health insurance scheme through the collected funds and to manage such funds. The GAUHI will invest such funds based on a pre-determined investment strategy. The GAUHI will also be involved in financing medical services and pricing medical services.

The mandatory national health insurance scheme requires all Egyptian residents, including employers, expatriates and casual workers to make compulsory monthly payments. In addition, the main breadwinner will be responsible for paying monthly contributions for family members, including unemployed spouses and all children.

The government will pay the premium on behalf of the poor, estimated to number 24m or about 25% of the population. The system covers all medical services for the beneficiaries, from the initial medical examination, through imaging and medical tests, to major medical and surgical interventions.

The new system gives beneficiaries the freedom to choose their health service providers and reduces personal spending on medical care.

The first phase of the scheme was launched in July 2018 and is being implemented in several phases, with the last phase to be completed by 2032.

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