The Health Committee in the House of Representatives rejected the proposals presented by Minister of Health Ahmed Emad El-Din Rady in regards to developing 377 integrative hospitals through the private sector.
The development process requires investments of EGP 11.3bn, with each hospital requiring EGP 30m, according to the minister of health’s proposal.
Parliamentary sources said that the minister presented several scenarios to the Health Committee, most notably suggesting the participation of the private sector to develop the hospitals—which was rejected. The other scenarios remain under study.
The committee might approve the scenario that suggests the Ministry of Health take over the process of development and management of these institutions, with the possibility to cooperate with other ministerial parties such as the ministries of defence, interior, or social solidarity, explained the sources.
The sources added that the minister gave a detailed presentation to the Health Committee on the cost of integrative hospitals. It was agreed that the state is to be responsible for the development process.
These types of hospitals are considered the first defence wall of the therapeutic system, and should not be left to the private sector as they provide simple medical services, thus alleviating the pressure on public hospitals.
The Minister of Health said that there are 514 of these hospitals but only 377 of them require development.
He added that a meeting was held between the ministries of health and defence in July in order to review the entire file of integrative hospitals. The file was sent to the hospitals that need development for study and suggestions for operations. There is also communication between the ministry and the Armed Forces medical services management discussing the possibility of cooperation for management.
The Health Ministry has also sent the file of integrative hospitals to the Ministry of Social Solidarity at the latter’s request. It was agreed to provide the Health Ministry with information about the civil associations that seek to utilise these hospitals.
Sources said that there are 75 hospitals ready for development, and that the development process will begin during this fiscal year.
