Improving social health protection for refugees in Egypt through their inclusion in the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) scheme

The ILO policy brief outlines the results of the feasibility study conducted jointly by the ILO and UNHCR, examining the inclusion of refugees in Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance law provides a legal pathway for refugee inclusion; while refugees encounter substantial financial and systemic barriers to access healthcare access, increasing their risk of impoverishment. Integrating refugees into the UHIS aligns with global human rights frameworks and international ILO standards, promoting public health, social cohesion, and economic growth. The brief details policy options derived from two costing scenarios considering the socioeconomic status of this population, to guide their integration into UHI scheme as it scales up nationwide. Study findings highlighted the need to strengthen identification, enrolment, and contribution mechanisms for workers in the informal economy, where many refugees are employed.