The committee preparing the Comprehensive Health Insurance Draft Law is considering the inclusion of foreign residents in Egypt in the health insurance program, just as Egyptian expatriates are covered abroad.
Sources of funding have been proposed, including new taxes on tobacco, alcohol and cement.
The committee is also thinking about including Egyptians working abroad in this new plan.
Assistant Health Minister Mohamed Moeit said that 40 percent of citizens are unable to pay for a subscription in the new health insurance program. “The government will bear this cost,” he said.
Dr. Ali Hegazy, head of the Health Insurance Authority, said health insurance covers 50 million people at a cost of LE6 billion. “The new law separates the service and the financing,” he said. “This will help us serve people better.”
Dr. Mona Mina, secretary-general of the Doctors Syndicate, said she is not against including foreigners. “We should [however] ensure good health care for all Egyptians first,” she added.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
