Egypt's healthcare sector has undergone significant transformations over the past decade, driven by presidential initiatives aimed at improving public health and achieving health equity. The initiatives, launched in response to growing health challenges, focus on providing comprehensive medical services to various segments of society. One of the key initiatives, "100 Million Health," has been instrumental in detecting and eliminating viral hepatitis C, screening over 60 million citizens and residents.
The "100 Million Health" initiative has been a landmark program, not only domestically but also internationally, in terms of its impact on public health. The initiative has successfully detected and treated viral hepatitis C, with the country's prevalence rate dropping from around 7% to 0.24% over the past decade. This achievement earned Egypt the "Golden Level" certificate from the World Health Organization on October 9, 2023, making it the first country to receive this recognition.
In addition to the hepatitis C initiative, other programs have been launched to address various health concerns. These include initiatives to detect and treat diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and kidney disease, as well as programs to support maternal and child health. The initiatives have also focused on early detection and treatment of cancer, with a particular emphasis on breast cancer and childhood obesity.
One of the notable achievements of the initiatives is the significant reduction in the prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren. The prevalence rate dropped from 42.3% in 2019 to 7.81% in 2026, representing an 81.5% decline. Additionally, the initiatives have led to a substantial increase in the coverage of preventive health services for women, with the percentage of women receiving regular health check-ups rising from 18% in 2020 to 90% in 2025.
The initiatives have also made significant strides in improving healthcare outcomes for patients with chronic diseases. For example, the average waiting time for breast cancer treatment has decreased from 270 days in 2018 to 49 days in 2026, representing an 81.9% reduction. Furthermore, the initiatives have led to a decline in the incidence and mortality rates of liver cancer, with a 25% decrease in incidence and a 31.8% decrease in mortality.
The Egyptian government has also launched initiatives to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. The "Steps" survey, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has provided valuable insights into the prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases. The survey's findings have informed the development of targeted interventions aimed at reducing the burden of these diseases.
Looking ahead, the Egyptian healthcare sector is poised to continue its trajectory of improvement, driven by ongoing initiatives and investments in healthcare infrastructure. With a focus on preventive care, early detection, and treatment, the sector is expected to make further strides in improving health outcomes and achieving health equity for all Egyptians.
Key points
- Egypt's healthcare sector has seen significant improvements over the past decade, driven by presidential initiatives aimed at enhancing public health and achieving health equity.
- The "100 Million Health" initiative has been instrumental in detecting and eliminating viral hepatitis C, screening over 60 million citizens and residents.
- The initiatives have led to substantial reductions in the prevalence of anemia among schoolchildren and improvements in healthcare outcomes for patients with chronic diseases.
