The health file in Egypt has received great attention from the political leadership over the past years, which was evident in the significant increase in health allocations, and the launch of a package of initiatives and projects to improve the health system and improve the quality of services provided to citizens, in addition to expanding the comprehensive health insurance system, and expanding the participation of the private sector. . However, despite the great successes witnessed by the health system in the recent period, there are many challenges that still face the continuation of development plans, most notably financing, weak infrastructure, and a shortage of medical personnel in light of the population increase.

In this context, Canada Egypt Business Council and the Egyptian Business Council for International Cooperation held a forum entitled: “Developing the Health System in Egypt… Opportunities and Challenges”

“Developing the Health System in Egypt… Opportunities and Challenges” featuring; H.E. Dr. Khalid Abd El-Ghaffar; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population

In his opening remarks, Mr. Motaz Raslan; chairman of CEBC and ECIC mentioned that no one denies the great transformation and development that the health system has witnessed in Egypt over the past decade. There are ambitious plans and strategies that we have seen in the past period to reform the health system and eliminate chronic health challenges that represented the greatest challenge for successive governments. He added that 3% of the national product has been allocated to health spending, provided that it increases gradually to reach international rates. The health axis has also occupied a large part of the sustainable development strategy, Egypt’s Vision 2030. Health allocations were also increased in the current fiscal year by 25% to reach 495.6 billion pounds, in addition to what was included in the new government program under the slogan “Together we build a sustainable future,” which gives health great attention.

H.E. Dr. Khalid Abd El-Ghaffar; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population commenced his speech stressing that regarding the crisis of drug shortages, his excellency confirmed that within two months there will be a complete breakthrough and the drug market movement will return to its normal rates.

During the symposium, the Minister of Health confirmed that the size of the pharmaceutical industry in Egypt is estimated at about 300 billion pounds annually and that we have more than 170 factories and 800 drug production lines.

Dr. Khalid explained that the size of the foreign component in the medicine produced locally is no less than 45 to 50% and may reach 60% in some products, pointing out that the pharmaceutical industry also relies on importing production requirements such as caps, foil, gelatin… and even cartons.

H.E.Dr. Khalid revealed that there are current attempts with the company “Akdima” and other national companies to manufacture raw materials with the aim of covering the needs of the local market and export, pointing to the state receiving many of the likes to manufacture supplies.

The minister added that 14 presidential initiatives were launched in the field of health care, benefiting about 94 million beneficiaries at a cost of 32.5 billion pounds, noting that through the Virus C initiative, Egypt succeeded in moving from the largest country with the highest infection rate to being declared free of the virus.

The Minister concluded his speech stressing that the new comprehensive health insurance system that was implemented in 6 governorates, explaining that it currently covers 6 million people with a budget amounting to 51 billion pounds, and that the second phase of the project will cover the republic as a whole. Also

 referred to treatment decisions at state expense, explaining that their monthly cost was estimated at about 32 million pounds, but now it has reached 20 billion pounds annually, as there are 14 thousand decisions every month at a cost of 50 million pounds per month.

Then the floor was opened for questions and answers where many inquiries and ideas were discussed by the participants of the seminar.