Comprehensive Health Insurance Authority: Investing in health care is the most efficient option
The General Authority for Comprehensive Health Insurance organized a high-level discussion session entitled “Strengthening Primary Health Care: A Necessity for Achieving Universal Health Coverage,” with the participation of a group of the most prominent leaders, decision-makers and international experts in the fields of health and development, and in the presence of representatives of regional and international organizations and development partners, at the St. Regis Al-Massa Hotel in the New Administrative Capital.
This came within the framework of the activities of the third edition of The World Conference on Population, Health and Human Development (PHDC25), which is held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The session comes within the framework of the pioneering role played by the General Authority for Comprehensive Health Insurance in supporting the transition towards a comprehensive and sustainable health system, and enhancing cooperation between development partners at the national and international levels, in line with the conference’s vision that focuses on “empowering individuals” Promoting progress…providing opportunities. Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development, Minister of Health and Population – In his opening speech, he pointed out that achieving sustainable human development begins with investing in human health, explaining that primary health care represents an essential pillar in building human capital, and a pivotal tributary to achieving the state’s development goals. Opportunities for all segments of society.
The Minister of Health and Population added that attention to basic health care and family medicine is the basis for the progress of health care in any country, stressing that the Egyptian state is concerned and greatly interested in developing the performance of basic care units to serve and care for the patient.
The Minister indicated that it was not easy to change the citizen’s culture in communicating with basic health care units as a referral unit, but this was activated with the implementation of the comprehensive health insurance system in 6 governorates so far, as these units receive most cases, while only 20% – 25% are transferred to secondary units, and from that referral all of his examinations and medical history are transferred with the patient.
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar indicated that the Ministry of Health has 5,400 primary health care units nationwide and we are trying to improve the performance in those units without waiting for them to enter the comprehensive insurance system, noting that a number of units were recently honored by the Ministry because they succeeded in increasing the number of visitors to them from two thousand to more than 11 thousand. During the past period, which reflects confidence in the performance of these units.
The session was moderated by Mai Farid – Executive Director of the General Authority for Comprehensive Health Insurance – Which confirmed that primary health care represents the true foundation of any fair and effective health system, and that investing in it is the most efficient option in terms of return, as evidence shows that every dollar invested in this field achieves an economic return of $2.3, and explained that countries that allocate at least 70% of their health budgets to primary care achieve a 40% reduction in avoidable deaths, and a 25% improvement in financial protection for families, which reflects the direct impact of investment in this vital sector on human health and development. Economic and social.
May Farid reviewed Egypt’s experience in developing primary health care services within the comprehensive health insurance system, which began implementation in 2018 and currently covers more than 5 million citizens in the governorates of Port Said, Luxor, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Aswan. She stressed that the Egyptian system made primary care the heart of national health reform, explaining that the data issued by the national health accounts for the year 2019/2020 clearly shows the extent of progress in redirecting resources towards this sector, as the percentage of spending on primary care services increased from 46.2% in 2018 to 55.3% after implementing the system, and the government’s contribution also increased to 51.5% of total government health spending compared to 48.7% in 2018. 2018.
The Executive Director added that these indicators reflect the state’s serious commitment to redirecting the health system towards primary care, noting that Port Said Governorate – The first governorates in which the system was implemented – It is a clear example of this trend, as its per capita spending on primary care exceeded the national average of 1,558 pounds to reach 2,222 pounds per person. She stressed that these results embody Egypt’s vision of building a comprehensive and sustainable health system, based on prevention and integrated care, and achieving health justice for all Egyptians.
Participated in the session were Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi, Minister of Health of the State of Iraq, Dr. Maha Al-Rabbat, former Minister of Health and Population, and Dr. Fadia Saada, Regional Director for Human Development in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan region at the Bank. International – Dr. Adham Ismail, Director of Program Management at the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean at the World Health Organization – And Omar Muhanna, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo.
The session discussed the most prominent lessons learned from national and international experiences in redirecting health systems towards primary care, with a focus on successful experiences from Egypt, Brazil, and Thailand, where governance frameworks and supportive policies, innovative financing mechanisms, and the role of political leadership in ensuring the sustainability of investment in this vital sector were reviewed, in addition to the importance of engaging local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the health system responds to the needs of citizens.
As Dr. Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi explained, Dr. Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi explained. – Minister of Health of the State of Iraq – Good governance, sustainable financing, and human capacity building represent essential pillars to ensure the effectiveness of the health system, noting that Iraq is currently working to empower health personnel and improve financing mechanisms to ensure that health services reach all citizens fairly and efficiently, thus enhancing the health system’s ability to respond to current and future challenges.
For her part, Dr. Maha Rabat – Former Minister of Health and Population – Redirecting the Egyptian health system towards primary health care is one of the most prominent reform steps that the sector has witnessed in recent years, as an integrated model has been built that links prevention and treatment and places the citizen at the heart of the system. Regional Director for Human Development for the Middle East and North Africa, World Bank – She pointed out that innovative financing mechanisms and strategic purchasing of health services have become among the most important tools that contribute to improving the efficiency of health spending and enhancing the quality of services.
She indicated that the World Bank supports countries in adopting financing systems that ensure justice and sustainability, by directing resources towards primary care as the first line of defense against diseases, a source of financial protection for families, and an essential pillar for achieving sustainable development goals.
Dr. Adham Ismail also addressed – Director of Program Management, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization – The importance of regional governance frameworks in supporting primary health care systems, noting that exchanging experiences and applying successful models among countries of the region contributes to accelerating the pace of health reform. He stressed that the World Health Organization places supporting countries in developing governance frameworks and health policies as one of its top priorities, to ensure the provision of integrated, high-quality primary care services built on the foundations of justice and equity.
In the same context, Omar Muhanna pointed out – President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt – He pointed out that the private sector is a major partner in supporting the state’s efforts to develop primary health care infrastructure, explaining that investment in this sector not only achieves economic returns, but also contributes to achieving community development. He stressed that cooperation between the public and private sectors represents an effective model for expanding the scope of services, improving their efficiency, and promoting innovation in providing health care to citizens.
The session concluded with the participants stressing the importance of securing high-level political commitments to ensure that primary health care is included among the priorities of national health agendas, and to enhance regional and international cooperation to exchange experiences and adopt evidence-based solutions.
He also called on the attendees to build a new political momentum to consolidate primary care as a basis for achieving health and social justice, including It contributes to human empowerment, promoting development, and achieving Egypt’s vision towards a comprehensive and sustainable health system.
