CAIRO, September 12 , 2018 - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednsday instructed the government to intensify the efforts aimed at launching the National Health Insurance System. The president gave his instructions in the course of a meeting he called on Wednsday with Prime Minister and Minister of Housing Dr Moustafa Madbouli and Minister of Health Dr Hala Zayed, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said. President Sisi highlighted the great importance of the new healthcare insurance project and stressed that the Egyptian people deserved access to the best medical services so they could be reassured about their health and that of their families. The meeting was devoted to following up the progress of work on implementing the comprehensive health insurance system, a national project that President Sisi had called for, Ambassador Radi said. During the meeting, President Sisi placed particular emphasis on ensuring that model hospitals nationwide be equipped in accordance with the highest standards and that these facilities be located in the capital city of each governorate to facilitate citizen access to them, Spokesman Radi told reporters after the meeting. Present at the meeting were Deputy Health Minister for Pharmaceutical Affairs, Dr Tamer Essam, the Director of the International Medical Centre, General Moustafa Abu Hattab, and the Director of el-Galaa Polyclinic, General Bahaa Eddin Zydan. The presidential directives covered the implementation of the medical survey and check-up of hepatitis C in the shortest time possible, using the most up-to-date devices; and the treatment of anyone found suffering from the disease, Spokesman Radi said. "The survey, which will be launched next month, will cover more than five million people," he said. The president also called for a quick end to the waiting lists of patients who need surgeries and critical medical interventions, Spokesman Radi said. He added that critical cases would be accorded special attention. The president ordered that an additional project, to improve the work environment for medical crews working in Health Ministry hospitals be incorporated into the package of executive measures under the first stage of the new health insurance project, Ambassador Radi said. The spokesman added that the meeting included the discussion of plans to launch media campaigns to inform citizens about the benefits of the healthcare insurance project and the importance of blood donation. The meeting also dealt with the steps that had been taken by the Ministry of Health to carry out the comprehensive automation system for the project. President Sisi held another meeting with the head of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Admiral Mohab Mamish, who doubles as the head of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Ambassador Radi added. The zone will include six seaports, an industrial area, logistics facilities, and sea water desalination plants. President Sisi instructed Admiral Mamish with exerting extra efforts to attract potential investors from various countries to launch joint investment ventures in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which comprises six ports, including Ein Sokhna Port, West Port Said Port, and East Port Said Port. President Sisi gave Admiral Mamish directives to keep up the efforts being made to complete the project per a plan and on schedule. He also instructed the SCA chief to build 100 fishing vessels, to create jobs for the zone's young people, Ambassador Radi added.
