Egypt strengthens social health protection to advance universal health coverage

Cairo, Egypt (ILO News)- Strengthening institutional capacities is central to advancing Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System and ensuring that everyone can access quality health services without financial hardship. To support these efforts, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA), organized a four-day capacity-building programme under the EU for Haya Karima project, funded by the European Union, and the ILO PROSPECTS programme, funded by the Government of the Netherlands.

The programme brought together officials and technical experts from key national institutions to exchange international experience and strengthen capacities in health financing, governance, strategic purchasing, actuarial analysis, digitalization and strategies for extending health insurance coverage, including to workers in the informal economy. It also promoted evidence-based policymaking and reinforced collaboration among national stakeholders to support the continued implementation of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System.

Strong social health protection systems not only improve access to quality health services, but also strengthen resilience, reduce inequalities and promote social justice.

Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office.

"Universal health coverage is ultimately about people. Strong social health protection systems not only improve access to quality health services, but also strengthen resilience, reduce inequalities and promote social justice. By investing in stronger institutions and national capacities, we are helping build a health system that is more inclusive, sustainable and responsive to people's needs. The ILO remains committed to supporting Egypt's efforts to advance social health protection and ensure that no one is left behind," said Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office.

Integrating workers in the informal economy remains one of the key pillars for achieving universal health coverage.

Hossam Sadek, Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Health Insurance Authority

For his part, Hossam Sadek, Chief Executive Officer of the Universal Health Insurance Authority, emphasized: "Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System represents a comprehensive national model for health sector reform, bringing together equitable access to health services, sustainable financing, good governance and improved efficiency in health service delivery, in line with Egypt's vision for a more efficient and sustainable health system. The success of the system is measured not only by expanding health coverage, but also by ensuring that people can easily enrol, understand their health rights and receive the care they need. Integrating workers in the informal economy remains one of the key pillars for achieving universal health coverage."

The initiative also fostered dialogue and strengthened technical cooperation among institutions responsible for health financing and social protection, creating opportunities to exchange international good practices and identify practical policy approaches to support the continued implementation of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System.

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© ILO

The Netherlands stands ready to continue supporting Egypt and UN partners in taking further steps to facilitate this important inclusion work.

Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt.

“Extending universal health insurance coverage to all informal workers, refugees and migrants is crucial to making the Egyptian society and economy more inclusive, robust, resilient, and shock-responsive. The Netherlands stands ready to continue supporting Egypt and UN partners in taking further steps to facilitate this important inclusion work,” highlighted Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt.

By investing in stronger institutions and universal access to healthcare, we are investing in Egypt's human capital and long-term prosperity.

Sophie Vanhaeverbeke, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Egypt.

"Supporting Egypt's health and social protection reforms is a central pillar of the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. By investing in stronger institutions and universal access to healthcare, we are investing in Egypt's human capital and long-term prosperity," noted Sophie Vanhaeverbeke, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Egypt.

The programme concluded with a high-level panel discussion on advancing social health protection and universal health coverage, bringing together senior representatives from the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) and the Egypt Healthcare Authority (EHA), alongside the ILO and the Universal Health Insurance Authority.

The discussion underscored the importance of strengthening institutional coordination, expanding coverage to workers in the informal economy and advancing sustainable reforms to support the continued implementation of Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System.

The initiative reflects the shared commitment of the ILO, the Universal Health Insurance Authority, the European Union and the Government of the Netherlands to strengthening social health protection and supporting Egypt's efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable and financially sustainable Universal Health Insurance System, in line with international labour standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.

© ILO

© ILO