Egypt Expands Universal Health Insurance With 2 South Sinai Hospitals

Egypt has opened two new hospitals in South Sinai under the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS).

The EGP 1.3 billion project includes Nuweiba Central Hospital, a 5,000-square-metre facility featuring 42 dialysis machines, intensive and inpatient care units, operating theatres, radiology and endoscopy services, laboratories, a blood bank, and 10 outpatient clinics. Meanwhile, Dahab New Hospital, which cost EGP 728 million, is equipped with 58 beds, six outpatient clinics, and specialised units for dialysis, neonatal care, emergency surgery, and radiology.

Both hospitals are designed to expand access to medical care in remote parts of the peninsula while easing the load on other regional health centres. They join five existing UHIS-affiliated facilities in the governorate—Sharm El-Sheikh International, Ras Sedr Specialised, Taba Central, Saint Catherine, and Al-Fayrouz Medical Complex—which together have provided over 1.5 million services since 2018.

Dr. Ahmed El-Sobky, Chairman of the Egypt Healthcare Authority, confirmed that more than EGP 4 billion has so far been invested in South Sinai’s UHIS operations. This includes infrastructure development, medical equipment, and ongoing service provision.

As the UHIS expands, medical staff at existing hospitals will undergo training to meet the system’s standards. The first phase of the national rollout is set to conclude in July 2025 with the inclusion of Aswan, positioning South Sinai among the six governorates at the forefront of Egypt’s healthcare transformation.