SWOT Analysis of the Health System in Egypt

Abstract

The health status of the population is determined by access to health, on the one hand, and access to health services, on the other. Access to health is dependant to a large extent on factors external to the health system: genetic factors, environmental, socio-economic and cultural factors. Access to health care is almost entirely influenced by the organization of the health system. The numerous organizations in charge of service regulation, financing, and provision define the Egyptian health system. Additionally, health outcomes in Egypt reflect epidemiological change. The limited financial resources of the healthcare system are heavily taxed by the rising prevalence of noncommunicable illnesses and the persistently high levels of some select communicable diseases. Inequality in the coverage of health care and health outcomes is made worse by this, as well as financial inefficiencies. This paper applies a SWOT analysis on the Egyptian health system, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and stating some directions that health system reform must follow in order to tackle the problems that it faces.