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The quality of healthcare in Egypt varies widely depending on whether you use public or private services. Although the Egyptian government has made steps to improve the public healthcare system, it’s still quite underdeveloped.
In general, the country’s medical facilities are substandard compared to those of many Western countries. For better-quality care, expats should avoid public hospitals and opt for private care instead.
Unless familiar with a particular hospital, major operations should be done outside of Egypt. Often, the best regional healthcare can be found in Dubai, and many wealthy Egyptians opt to travel to the UAE for specialist treatment.
Public healthcare in Egypt
Egypt has a very limited national healthcare scheme, and public hospitals in Egypt have faced serious accusations of negligence in the past. Hospitals in Egypt face underfunding, leading to dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate supplies. Expats may be eligible for free public healthcare, but this system is not recommended and has an extremely low rate of usage, even among low-income Egyptians.
The Egyptian government introduced the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in 2018, which is being implemented in six phases across the country’s governorates. The system gives enrolled Egyptians access to both public and private healthcare facilities at subsidised rates. The UHIS will likely not benefit many expats, but is expected to improve the state of healthcare in the country.
Private healthcare in Egypt
Private hospitals can be found in Egypt’s larger cities. Many are staffed by Western doctors who speak good English. That said, the standard of care in private hospitals can also vary widely, so expats should ask around for recommendations to ensure the best treatment. Costs can also add up quickly, so we advise expats to take out a good health insurance policy.
Health insurance in Egypt
Expats should have private medical insurance in Egypt for both routine and emergency care. Many hospitals will ask for cash on the spot rather than billing an insurance carrier, but patients should ask for all necessary paperwork to recoup any out-of-pocket expenses.
Some hospitals and hospital groups will offer insurance for the use of their facilities only. Many expats prefer insurance that includes treatment and evacuation to another country in the event of a medical emergency.
Pharmacies and medicines in Egypt
Pharmacies in Egypt are not in short supply. They are identified by a green cross and known locally as saydaleya (صيدلية).
Many medicines are available for purchase without a prescription; antibiotics and other drugs that would require one in Western countries are often sold over the counter. Some medications are strictly controlled, though, so expats who depend on specific prescriptions should bring a supply from home and carry their original packaging along with a doctor’s letter.
Pharmacists in larger cities generally speak good English and will be able to recommend basic medicines to expats. Medication is inexpensive in Egypt, but expats should ensure they buy something they have used before.
Egypt is known for counterfeit medicines, which are often sold in authentic-looking packaging. Counterfeit medicine can contain harmful ingredients, so expats are encouraged to source their prescription and over-the-counter medication from reliable sources.
Health hazards in Egypt
One of the most significant health concerns facing expats in Egypt is sanitation. Expats should take special care to drink and cook only with bottled water, and to wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly. It is best to avoid eating street food or buying juices from street vendors, but food and drink in hotels and restaurants should be perfectly fine.
Egypt once had the highest rate of hepatitis C infection in the world, but through its ‘100 Million Healthy Lives’ campaign, it reduced prevalence from roughly 10 percent to under 1 percent. For this, it became the first country to receive the WHO’s ‘gold-tier’ status. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, so expats should avoid contact with needles of dubious origin, especially equipment used for tattooing.
Air pollution is another health hazard in Egypt, especially in large cities. The air quality in Cairo can be very poor due to traffic congestion and industrial emissions. From September to November, seasonal burning of rice straw in the Nile Delta sends thick smoke drifting over the capital in a phenomenon known locally as the ‘black cloud.’ Dust and smog are particularly problematic for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Vaccinations for Egypt
Expats should check with their doctor whether they need any special vaccinations before travelling to Egypt, but should always have their routine vaccinations up to date, especially hepatitis A, measles, rabies, and typhoid.
Poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples in Egypt, so expats should ensure their polio vaccinations are up to date, too.
Emergency services in Egypt
The ambulance number in Egypt is 123, and 112 is a unified emergency line for police, fire, and medical services. If there is a serious emergency, expats are advised to organise their own transport to a hospital or to call a private hospital directly and request an ambulance, as the public ambulance service can be unreliable.