Egypt's Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar announced the release of the first procedural guide for the state-funded medical treatment program in January 2026, aimed at standardizing services and streamlining approvals. This step underscores Egypt's commitment to citizens' constitutional right to equitable and comprehensive healthcare, serving as a key pillar of the health system until universal health insurance is fully rolled out.
Egypt's Ministry of Health has released the first edition of a procedural guide for the state-funded medical treatment program, dated January 2026, as part of initiatives to standardize healthcare services and expedite approval processes. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stated that the guide seeks to unify operational standards across the General Administration of Specialised Medical Councils and simplify the documentation required for treatment approvals.
Prepared under the supervision of the Therapeutic Medicine Sector, the guide outlines detailed administrative and medical procedures, including step-by-step instructions for submitting treatment requests, beginning with the upload of medical files endorsed by a hospital's three-member medical committee. It establishes unified medical standards specifying necessary tests and investigations for various specialties, such as general surgery, haematology, oncology, nephrology, and ophthalmology, to accelerate decision-making.
The document also addresses advanced specialized treatments, encompassing cardiac and thoracic surgeries, interventional radiology, multiple sclerosis care, bone marrow transplantation, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer patients. It further details requirements for renewing treatment approvals to promote transparency and ensure continuous access to care.
Mohamed El-Akkad, head of the Specialised Medical Councils administration, noted that the guide offers a clear roadmap for hospitals and regional councils, thereby reducing waiting times and guaranteeing that high-quality support reaches eligible patients. The ministry has reaffirmed its dedication to ongoing healthcare reforms and called on medical facilities to adhere to the new procedural framework.