Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, addressed the challenges faced by the healthcare sector and outlined significant progress during his speech at the "Hekayet Watan" conference, attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the issue of insufficient funding in the healthcare sector, revealing that the Egyptian government allocated one trillion Egyptian pounds from the state budget over nine years, from 2014 to 2023.

This substantial increase in the Ministry of Health's budget, from 42 billion to 222 billion Egyptian pounds, has been directed towards various healthcare initiatives, health insurance, population health, vaccinations, and emergency services.

He pointed out that Egypt, with a population of over 105 million, faces significant challenges due to its size. While the budget allocation is substantial, it remains modest when considering the scale of the nation's healthcare needs.

The government's 2030 plan aims to increase per capita healthcare spending to $280, positioning Egypt as a country with an average income above the current level.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar stressed that Egypt shouldn't be compared to larger nations, given the magnitude of its population. The focus remains on innovative approaches and hard work to compensate for resource constraints.

The Minister highlighted the impact of presidential healthcare initiatives, which have transformed Egypt's healthcare sector. He specifically mentioned the comprehensive health insurance system, which has expanded healthcare coverage to all citizens, regardless of employment status or income.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar recognized that population growth had strained healthcare resources, but he also acknowledged the challenge of uneven distribution of services. While the major cities have access to comprehensive healthcare, there remains a gap in service availability in less densely populated areas, such as Upper Egypt.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister noted that since 2014, Egypt has been steadily expanding its healthcare infrastructure across the country. COVID-19 posed a significant challenge, with global healthcare systems under pressure.

Egypt successfully navigated this crisis, converting hospitals into isolation centers and rapidly securing necessary vaccines, ultimately vaccinating 60% of the population, akin to advanced countries.

Egypt's healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable progress and expansion over the past decade. Significant increases in funding have enabled the government to invest in healthcare infrastructure, health insurance, and population health initiatives.

The comprehensive health insurance system has expanded access to healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their employment status, setting Egypt on a path toward greater healthcare equity. Additionally, Egypt's successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the resilience and adaptability of its healthcare system.