Egypt expands health insurance system
State expands social protection by integrating vulnerable families into comprehensive healthcare coverage system
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) – Egypt announced a major expansion of its social protection framework, directing that all citizens enrolled in state-approved cash and social support programs will be automatically registered in the country’s comprehensive health insurance system.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the move aims to streamline access to healthcare and strengthen coverage for vulnerable groups.
Under the new policy, the Ministry of Social Solidarity will periodically supply updated beneficiary data to the General Authority for Universal Health Insurance, eliminating the need for individuals to register separately in order to access health coverage.
This step aims to ensure that vulnerable groups benefiting from programs such as Takaful and Karama receive integrated healthcare without additional procedural barriers.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Social Justice, which also reviewed the rollout of the Unified Government Services Card.
The card, piloted in Port Said earlier in 2025, has been used to distribute subsidized food and bread, and officials said preparations are underway to expand the system nationwide, helping to unify databases and improve the governance of subsidy programmes.
Madbouly described the subsidy and social protection system as “vital” to Egyptians’ lives and reaffirmed the government’s goal of achieving “the highest levels of social justice” by enhancing public spending efficiency while balancing economic and social considerations.
He emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting low-income citizens and strengthening the safety net through integrated policies and data systems.
Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsany said the meeting also addressed support programs for middle-income groups to help them manage ongoing economic pressures resulting from successive global crises.
Officials said full digitization of the subsidy system will create flexible mechanisms to add eligible individuals or families, thereby broadening the reach of social protection.
The committee reviewed progress on auditing and updating data for the food and bread subsidy systems, which authorities described as a “pivotal and essential step” in improving service delivery and expanding coverage to those most in need.
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