First Phase of Universal Health Insurance Plan Launches in Aswan

Egypt has officially launched the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in Aswan, the final governorate in the programme’s first implementation phase. The milestone marks a key step toward the full national rollout, which is now scheduled to conclude by 2027.

Aswan becomes the sixth governorate to join UHIS - following Port Said, Ismailia, South Sinai, Suez, and Luxor - and the second in Upper Egypt. The system, managed by the Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA), delivered over 2.8 million services during its trial phase in Aswan, ranging from medical tests and diagnostics to surgeries and advanced treatment.

According to EHA Chairman Ahmed El-Sobky, the services included one million lab tests, 400,000 emergency treatments, 100,000 outpatient visits, and 20,000 surgeries. Nearly half were specialised or advanced-level procedures. Care was delivered through eight hospitals and 89 affiliated clinics.

Investments in UHIS infrastructure, equipment, and digital transformation in Aswan have exceeded EGP 12 billion. The first phase of the UHIS, launched in 2018, cost more than EGP 51 billion overall.

The second phase - covering Damietta, Marsa Matrouh, Kafr El-Sheikh, North Sinai, and Minya - is expected to begin later this year at an estimated cost of EGP 115 billion.