Egypt’s Ministry of Health reports that over 2.7 million surgeries have been completed through a free initiative launched in 2018, significantly reducing wait times. With a unified electronic system in place, urgent surgeries across various specialties are being monitored and addressed more effectively, with average wait times now only two to three weeks.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has reported the completion of over 2.7 million surgeries through the President’s Initiative to End Waiting Lists, which provides surgical services at no cost to patients. This initiative, launched in July 2018, was designed to address the pressing issue of long waiting times for medical procedures, ensuring timely access to critical surgery for patients who cannot afford treatment.
Dr. Ahmed Mustafa, a key advisor for the initiative, emphasized the ministry’s focus on enhancing hospital capabilities and service quality. This involves ongoing training for healthcare professionals, upgrading surgical facilities, and refining the automated system that tracks and manages patient data seamlessly across various healthcare providers.
The initiative also features a unified electronic system that streamlines treatment decision processes among state-funded care and health insurance providers, allowing for efficient patient transfers. Patients requiring surgeries included under this initiative are encouraged to register on the official website for case monitoring or call the hotline for assistance.
Dr. Mustafa reported over 2,700,736 surgeries had been performed to date, supporting efforts to mitigate waiting lists for urgent surgical needs. From the initiative’s commencement, 260,033 inquiries have been made via the hotline, monitoring 220,452 cases between July 2023 and February 2025.
The range of surgeries provided includes treatments for heart conditions, orthopedic procedures, cancer surgeries, and transplants, among others, with patients strategically assigned to hospitals to ensure prompt care. Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar explained that this initiative was launched to confront the long-standing issues within the healthcare system regarding surgical wait times, which previously spanned up to 18 months for certain procedures.
Currently, the average wait time for surgeries has significantly decreased to two to three weeks, with the initiative’s funding primarily sourced from the state’s budget and various donations. Organizations such as civil society groups and the Tahya Misr Fund play crucial roles in financing these critical surgical interventions.
The President’s Initiative to End Waiting Lists in Egypt has successfully completed over 2.7 million surgical procedures since its inception, providing free and timely medical care to patients. The initiative has transformed the surgical landscape by drastically reducing waiting times through a unified electronic system and centralized patient management. With ongoing support and funding, it continues to address significant healthcare challenges in the country, providing necessary surgeries within weeks instead of months.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
