In 2021, Egypt faces a significant increase in the prices of medical supplies and medicines, having recently increased by 150%. Health Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar justified the increase in prices for medical services in government hospitals as a necessary measure to adapt to these increased costs.
According to the minister, these prices have not been readjusted for 27 years, and it was therefore essential to adapt costs to ensure continuity of patient care. He also stressed that hospitals need medical supplies, equipment and staff to keep them running, and that hospital funds are not enough to cover these growing costs.
It is important to note that these recent decisions will not have an impact on ordinary citizens, since patients can be treated free of charge at the expense of the state or health insurance, thus representing 95% of hospital admissions. The remaining 5% pay a symbolic amount for their consultation, and the poorest can be exempt from this payment.
The minister also highlighted the waste of medicines in health units and hospitals, and banned the prescription of imported medicines when Egyptian equivalents are available. He stressed the importance of doctors exercising caution when prescribing medications, as significant savings can be made by avoiding the unnecessary prescribing of vitamins, for example.
In summary, these measures taken aim to rationalize health spending in Egypt, in order to ensure efficient use of resources and direct savings towards quality treatment for all citizens, without distinction.