How does healthcare work in Egypt, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Egypt?

The healthcare system in Egypt has made great strides in the last century, but also has (in the public sector) great strides to make.
Healthcare in Egypt consists of a mixture of public and private providers, but the difference in quality is almost as great as the pyramids themselves.
The supply and quality of healthcare also differs between the countryside and the big cities. Specialist care can generally be found in the cities.
There are many pharmacies, of which the larger chains are even available 24/7!
Call 123 for an ambulance. It may take a while for it to arrive, because traffic in Egypt can be quite chaotic at times. Sometimes it is faster to have your own transport.

A lot of work is being done on a universal healthcare system, but the quality of healthcare is not really something to write home about yet.
If you are an official resident, you can make use of the public healthcare coverage, which means that healthcare is (largely) free.
Not only many foreigners, but also many (rich) Egyptians prefer to avoid public healthcare. Problems include: too few medical facilities, varying levels of education of staff, and a lack of English.

Private healthcare is a lot better than public healthcare.
The staff generally speaks good English.
You often have to pay cash, so a well-filled wallet (or emergency fund) is not an unnecessary luxury.
In remote areas there is little to no private healthcare available, medical evacuation can be a dire necessity here!

There are many different GPs available. You can go to the hospital, or you can visit a private clinic.
In fact, all doctors are seen as primary doctors and there is no real gatekeeper function for GPs.

There is good, private dental care available in Egypt, of course especially in the big cities!
Many dentists speak good English.

If you have read the previous articles, you will already feel it coming: even if you are pregnant, it is best to go to the private healthcare system. The public system fails in many areas (and that is not what you want when you are in labor).
It is best to discuss your options with a doctor or midwife. Many options are available: from pregnancy courses to water births, from doula services to luxury hospitals.
The best healthcare institutions can be found mainly in Cairo, Alexandria and Luxor. There are also clinics that offer doula services.
The number of caesarean sections has increased enormously in recent years. It seems that this is either because a higher price can be charged for a caesarean section, or because more and more mothers are requesting it. Make sure you discuss your wishes with your doctor well in advance.
Home births under the supervision of midwives also occur.
Some good hospitals are the Rofayda Health Park, Queen’s Royal Hospital, El Nada Hospital, Nozha International Hospital and the American Hospital.

Egypt is generally quite safe for anyone non Egyptian, if you can handle being noticed and sometimes being stared at or spoken to.
Beware of petty crime such as pickpocketing and do not walk alone in the streets after dark. Especially not if you are a woman.
Due to the tensions in the region, there is also a risk of terrorist attacks. The risk is particularly high in North Sinai. Popular tourist spots are also sometimes targeted.
Demonstrations can get dangerously out of hand.
Earthquakes and sandstorms can occur.

Some health risks in Egypt are hepatitis C, tuberculosis and rabies.
Only drink boiled water or bottled water. It may also be wise to avoid swimming in fresh water.
Dengue also occurs in Egypt.
Air pollution can be a major problem in Cairo, especially if you already have respiratory problems.

Driving is a challenge and safety is certainly not guaranteed.
The roads are of varying quality and reckless driving is not uncommon. Driving can therefore be quite chaotic, with a donkey in front of your car one moment and someone driving on the wrong side of the road the next.
There are also relatively many traffic accidents in Egypt, especially with pedestrians and motorcyclists.
You should always have a fire extinguisher, warning triangle and first aid kit with you.
Taxis are not always safe, there have been cases of taxi drivers who have attacked passengers. So make sure you always use a good taxi company.
You can also use the bus (the cheapest option), train and in Cairo also the metro.

Is the trip to Egypt and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

You can get reasonable care in Egypt if you go to private clinics, but this costs quite a bit of money. There is also a good chance that you would rather go back home or abroad for medical care. In that case, good, international health insurance is very important.
Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.

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