Egypt issues nearly 20 million digital treatment approvals

Egypt is turning a corner in healthcare, with the Ministry of Health and Population announcing that nearly 20 million digital treatment approvals were issued in a single year — proof that the country's health insurance system is stepping confidently into the digital age. It's more than paperwork going online; it's a reshaping of how people receive care — quicker, smoother, and smarter.

As Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the ministry, put it, this marks "a significant breakthrough" in digital transformation. And really, he's not exaggerating.

How does it work?

At the heart of this digital leap is the General Authority for Health Insurance, which now handles treatment approvals electronically. That means no more long waits, confusing forms, or shuffling between departments. Here's what's changing on the ground:

• 13 million appointments booked online at over 250 clinics — no more waiting in line at dawn
• 120 clinics are mid-upgrade, getting new tech backbones
• 160 clinic archives have already been digitized, and 247 more are in progress
• 239 medical warehouses are now automated for better logistics and medicine tracking
• Specialized medical committees — cardiology, cochlear implants, blood treatment, growth hormone therapy — are now digitized for faster decisions
• Medical imaging is streamlined across hospitals thanks to integration with the PACS system

And that's just scratching the surface.

Why does it matter?

Because lives move faster than bureaucracy should. This digital push isn't just about catching up to the 21st century — it's about improving access, accuracy, and accountability in patient care. When systems work together, patients get quicker diagnoses, more consistent care, and less red tape.

Ahmed Mostafa, head of the Health Insurance Authority, said the digital platform at the New Administrative Capital Hospital is now linked to the National Unified Emergency and Safety Network. That means faster emergency response and better coordination in a crisis.

They're even rolling out AI-powered services to predict, prioritize, and personalize care. In Mostafa's words, "Digitalisation is a central pillar of ongoing healthcare reform." And you can see why — it sharpens efficiency, boosts service quality, and brings real change to patient outcomes.

The context

This digital sprint is part of Egypt's broader national digital strategy, a plan that cuts across ministries and modernizes public services. Healthcare is just the tip of the spear.

The government isn't just installing software — it's building an ecosystem:

• Upgrading hospitals
• Training staff
• Linking platforms to national emergency systems
• Laying digital tracks where there used to be paper trails

What once felt far-fetched is now routine. Booking a doctor's visit online, getting prescriptions approved with a click, managing imaging across hospitals — it's all happening. As Egypt rewrites the script for public healthcare, the message is clear: digital isn't the future — it's the new normal.