Egypt Forum 2026 health session: officials detail drug security, insurance expansion

Egyptian health officials convened a Citizen Health session at the 2026 forum in the New Administrative Capital, outlining health system development and drug security.

• Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar admitted shortcomings toward medical staff and said the government is working on a financial incentive for doctors.
• Abdel Ghaffar said universal health insurance phase two began in Minya on June 1, with further governorates to follow.
• Drug Authority head Ali El-Ghamrawi said Egypt has over 180 drug factories and that 91% of marketed drugs are locally manufactured.
• Unified Procurement head Hisham Stet said strategic drug stocks cover six months or more and six warehouses are under construction.
• El-Ghamrawi said Egypt produces about 4 billion drug packages annually and warned supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz could cause shortages.
• Nursing Syndicate head Kawthar Mahmoud said about 40,000 nurses graduate this year and a practice-license exam begins in 2026.
• Minister Abdel Ghaffar said 95 million citizens benefited from health initiatives costing 44 billion pounds over eight years.
• Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said comprehensive health insurance and the waiting-list elimination initiative are the ministry's top priorities.
• Abdel Ghaffar said universal health coverage has launched in six governorates, with Minya operating as a seventh and five more planned.