Thursday 03 Apr
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, and Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, reviewed the implementation of the presidential directive to augment the state-funded treatment budget. This initiative aims to eliminate waiting lists for critical cases across all governorates. It aligns with the recent social protection package designed to alleviate living burdens for the most vulnerable and low-income populations.
A joint statement by the Ministries clarified that the state treasury has released over EGP 1 billion in additional funding, part of the social protection package, to the Ministry of Health and Population. This initial allocation will enable immediate treatment for 60,000 low-income individuals lacking health insurance. The total projected cost is EGP 3 billion, with subsequent funding to be provided as required.
This initiative includes performing surgical operations in
the specialties of oncology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, in addition to
cerebral, peripheral, and cardiovascular catheterization, and kidney, liver,
and cochlear implants.
The statement pointed out that the state annually treats about 2.355 million cases in various medical specialties, with support from the general budget and health institutions. The allocations for state-funded treatment have been increased by an additional EGP 3 billion for the period from March to June 2025, with the aim of accelerating the pace of ending waiting lists, with a focus on performing the largest possible number of operations during the holy month of Ramadan and April, coinciding with Eid Al-Fitr.
