A Plan to Strengthen Oversight and Governance in Egypts Healthcare Sector

As part of Egypt's commitment to developing its healthcare system and ensuring the quality of medical services provided to citizens, the government has launched a comprehensive plan to enhance internal oversight and governance within the healthcare sector. This initiative aims to improve performance efficiency, combat corruption, and achieve transparency in resource management, in alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for sustainable development and the establishment of a fair and resilient health system.

What Is Internal Oversight and Governance in Healthcare?

• Internal oversight refers to a set of policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with laws and standards, detect and address deviations, and protect institutional assets.

• Governance involves mechanisms that ensure transparent, accountable, and participatory management of the health sector through clear role definitions, authority distribution, and performance monitoring.

Objectives of the National Healthcare Governance Plan

The plan focuses on several core goals:

• Enhancing transparency in administrative and medical decision-making within hospitals.

• Combating financial and administrative corruption and ensuring optimal use of resources.

• Supporting the autonomy of healthcare institutions while implementing effective oversight mechanisms.

• Improving the quality of healthcare services provided to the public.

• Boosting citizen trust in the public healthcare system.

Key Components of the Plan

1. Establishing internal oversight units in public hospitals and medical centers, equipped with trained staff and modern tools to monitor performance and track operations.

2. Digital transformation of all administrative and financial processes in the healthcare sector to reduce human error, ensure data accuracy, and speed up decision-making.

3. Training and capacity-building for medical and administrative personnel in governance principles and institutional integrity.

4. Activating digital complaint and reporting systems to allow citizens to participate in monitoring service quality.

5. Reviewing and updating regulations governing healthcare institutions to match technological advancements and modern oversight needs.

Achievements in Healthcare Governance

By 2024, notable progress was made in implementing the plan, including:

• Establishing 150 internal oversight units in public hospitals.

• Digitally linking over 70% of hospitals to a unified electronic system for procedures and data management.

• Reducing waste and corruption rates by 35% compared to the previous year, according to Ministry of Health reports.

Remaining Challenges

Despite progress, several challenges remain:

• Resistance to change from personnel lacking digital skills.

• Weak infrastructure in some remote governorates.

• Need for greater financial and administrative autonomy for oversight units.

The Future of Healthcare Governance

The government aims to build a fully digital, transparent, and efficient healthcare system based on accurate data, clear performance indicators, and direct citizen engagement. Strengthening governance and internal oversight will be essential to ensuring sustainable healthcare financing and high-quality service delivery.

Conclusion
Egypt’s plan to enhance internal oversight and governance reflects its determination to build a more efficient, transparent, and equitable healthcare system. The success of this strategy is a cornerstone for a sustainable and healthier future for every Egyptian citizen.