Efforts by the Egyptian Ministry of Health to eliminate waiting lists and support free health care

Efforts by the Egyptian Ministry of Health to eliminate waiting lists and support free health care

In an unprecedented strategic step, the Egyptian Ministry of Health announced the success of the presidential initiative to end surgical waiting lists, which was launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in July 2018. In order to enhance the quality of health care in Egypt, and achieve social justice in providing medical services.

The number of surgical operations carried out – so far – has exceeded 2 million, 863 thousand and 688 operations, which is a record number that reflects the size of the national commitment to providing free health to all citizens, and ensuring access to medical services for all without any financial burden.

The initiative includes conducting operations, building an integrated system of continuous follow-up of patients, central distribution of cases to hospitals, and continuous development of the medical staff, in a way that enhances the quality of services and achieves their long-term sustainability.

In this context,Earth Defenders Foundation will discuss in this article Egypt’s efforts to improve surgical services, highlight innovation in hospital management, and efforts to usedigital transformationto follow up on disease cases, in addition to linking these efforts to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); So keep reading.

Developing hospitals and medical personnel

Since the launch of the initiative, the Egyptian Ministry of Health has been keen to carefully follow up on cases. The initiative has received more than 311,905 calls via the hotline, and 277,444 cases have been followed up from July 2023 until September 2025.

The surgeries provided include vital and diverse specialties, including:

• Heart, orthopedic, ophthalmology and tumor surgeries
• Neurosurgery
• Cerebral and cardiac catheters
• Peripheral Catheters
• Kidney, liver and cochlear transplantation

All of this reflects a clear diversity in medical services, and confirms the Ministry of Health’s keenness to cover the critical needs of all citizens quickly and efficiently.

The process of distributing patients takes place centrally among affiliated hospitals, to ensure the provision of surgical services of the highest quality and in the shortest possible time. This comes within an integrated system that includes training medical personnel, providing hospitals with modern equipment and supplies, as well as developing a unified electronic system that connects all concerned parties. To facilitate the follow-up and transfer of cases according to the capacity of each hospital. This development reflects Egypt’s commitment to achieving sustainability of health services, and ensuring that waiting lists do not accumulate in the future.

The initiative is not only to perform surgeries, but rather is a model of social justice in accessing health services. All surgeries are provided free of charge, without any financial burden on patients. This reflects the commitment of the Egyptian Ministry of Health to provide medical care to all groups, especially those who are unable, and makes health a right available to all.

Improving the quality of hospitals and training medical personnel represents an essential pillar for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the third goal on good health and well-being, and the tenth goal on reducing inequalities.

Digital transformation promotes free health

TheMinistry of Healthseeks to integrate digital transformation into the health care system based on it being an effective tool to reduce waiting lists and improve the quality of services provided to citizens. The unified electronic system that connects all hospitals and concerned parties has become an essential part of the initiative, as it allows accurate follow-up of each surgical case, and quick transfer of patients according to capacity. Which reduces delays and increases operational efficiency.

Modern technology has also contributed to the continuous training of medical personnel, through virtual simulation programs and advanced courses to develop surgical and administrative skills, ensuring the provision of high-quality health care. This digital transformation not only contributes to accelerating operations, but also enhances transparency and accountability in the provision of health services. This reflects Egypt’s commitment to achieving health justice for all citizens.

On the other hand, this digital development can be linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it supports the third goal related to good health and well-being, and enhances the ability to respond to future health emergencies, ensuring the sustainability of the health system in Egypt.

This link between digital development and sustainability also contributes to reducing medical waste and improving resource management. This makes free health services more effective and widespread, and confirms that Egypt is moving steadily towards an integrated and sustainable health model.

Egypt is a model in public health sustainability

In addition, the initiative focuses on building a health system capable of responding to future surgical emergencies, and reducing any potential waiting lists, which enhances the sustainability of services, and reflects Egypt’s 2030 vision for sustainable development; These efforts not only provide treatment, but also contribute to enhancing citizens’ confidence in the national health system, and work to achieve balanced and sustainable development in the health sector.

In conclusion, it can be said that the presidential initiative to end surgical waiting lists has had tangible success, through the Egyptian Ministry of Health, which works to provide advanced, free and fair health services, while ensuring the sustainability and quality of these services.

According to the vision ofThe Earth Guards Foundation, these steps reflect the state’s ability to combine free health, quality, and sustainability. For Egypt to be a role model in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and providing good health for all citizens.