Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation between the public and private sectors in advancing Egypt's healthcare system. His remarks came during a discussion session titled "Pioneering Private Investment for Sustainable Universal Health Coverage," held as part of the first annual forum of the Universal Health Insurance Authority. The event, launched on Sunday under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, gathered key health sector leaders to explore the role of private investments in healthcare. Moderated by health policy expert Sameh El-Saharty, the session featured insights from Ahmed Khalifa, an expert in health economics at the World Health Organization's Egypt office. Participants included Ihab Abu Aish, Deputy Chairman of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Authority; David Wilson, Head of the Health, Nutrition, and Population Sector at the World Bank's Egypt office; Mohamed Hablas, CEO of Saudi German Health Group – Egypt; and Ammar Aqlan, CEO of El-Ezaby Group. Abdel Ghaffar underscored the forum's role in strengthening Egypt's healthcare framework, emphasizing that sustainable and equitable healthcare access depends on a well-structured public-private partnership. He pointed to Egypt's significant progress in health sector reforms, particularly through the comprehensive health insurance system, which has been instrumental in expanding quality healthcare coverage nationwide. The Minister noted that fostering an investment-friendly environment for private healthcare providers is a priority. Policies have been designed to encourage private sector participation while upholding principles of accessibility, equity, and quality. He also highlighted the growing role of private healthcare in Egypt, citing an increase in private sector hospital beds and facilities. The private sector's share of healthcare services rose from 21% in 2011 to 29.3% in 2022, reflecting both its expansion and the rising public confidence in its services. Additionally, private companies now account for approximately 82% of Egypt's pharmaceutical market. Abdel Ghaffar stressed that healthcare reforms must be backed by a highly trained and motivated workforce. To achieve this, the government has partnered with international universities and academic institutions to develop advanced medical training programs. These initiatives aim to ensure a more equitable distribution of healthcare expertise while offering financial incentives to encourage medical professionals to serve in remote areas. The session also addressed key challenges in healthcare financing, the economic benefits of healthcare investments, and the private sector's role in achieving universal health coverage. Discussions included statistics on funding gaps, priority areas for investment, and strategies to further integrate private sector contributions into Egypt's healthcare landscape.
