Author
Current Practice:
Refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt receive basic and specialised health services through cooperation between UNHCR, the Ministry of Health and Population, and partner organizations. These services include primary healthcare (such as checkups, chronic disease management, and preventive care), psychosocial support, and public health awareness campaigns. Emergency life-saving care is available free of charge in public hospitals, and the 123 hotline can be used in critical situations.
Services provided by UNHCR and its partners are free, while public hospitals may charge fees for advanced procedures or extended hospitalisation. Refugees are advised to carry their documentation, such as the Yellow Card, when visiting health centres and to consult UNHCR for guidance.
Despite these provisions, refugees and migrants continue to face major obstacles in accessing healthcare, particularly outside of urban centres like Cairo and Alexandria. Facilities equipped to serve them are limited and concentrated in a few areas, while rural and remote regions lack adequate coverage. Humanitarian organizations remain the primary providers, but their services are constrained by funding shortages, which affects quality and increases waiting times. Without access to health insurance, many refugees remain unprotected against medical risks. Private healthcare is unaffordable for most, especially those needing urgent surgery or specialised treatment, forcing many to rely on limited free services or forgo care altogether. Such challenges point to the need for stronger coordination between the government and international partners to expand healthcare access and improve coverage.
2024 Asylum Law:
Article 21 of the asylum law provides for the right of refugees to access healthcare. The scope and implementation of this right will be defined by the law’s executive regulations and future ministerial decisions.