The Hieroglyphs of Health

The Roadmap for Private Sector Engagement in Egypt's Health Sector Series

Empowering Egypt's Healthcare System: Enhancing Private Sector Engagement

Egypt faces significant healthcare challenges, with out-of-pocket payments dominating health financing. In response, the Egyptian Parliament ratified the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) Law in 2017, aiming to transition towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and address health disparities. The UHI system focuses on affordable primary healthcare, with mandatory coverage and funding from contributions and earmarked taxes.

However, operational challenges during UHI implementation, compounded by the expansion of the private health sector (PHS), underscore the need for robust public-private collaboration. Recognizing this, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) emphasizes the importance of strengthening governance systems and dialogue to ensure successful UHI implementation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively supporting private sector engagement for UHC globally and in Egypt. WHO's Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on the Governance of the Private Sector for UHC, coupled with initiatives like The Country Connector on Private Sector in Health (CCPSH) and the Progression Pathway Model, provide frameworks and tools for effective private sector engagement.

During the period April 28-30, 2024, in collaboration with WHO, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) is organizing a workshop to discuss modalities for private sector engagement in health system transformation. 

The workshop aims to raise awareness among stakeholders, present opportunities and challenges, and foster public-private dialogue.

Objectives of the workshop include familiarizing participants with public-private dialogue processes, introducing different types of public-private partnerships (PPPs), and establishing a common understanding of the government's role in governing mixed health systems. The workshop also aims to raise awareness about relevant WHO technical resources.

Expected outcomes include laying the foundation for systematic private sector engagement, exploring policy options and regulatory frameworks for PPPs, establishing platforms for ongoing collaboration, and identifying areas for WHO support.

By empowering public-private collaboration, Egypt can strengthen its healthcare system, enhance access to quality care, and advance towards UHC, ensuring better health outcomes for all citizens.