Expanding Health Insurance Coverage for Urban Poor in Cairo: An Analysis of Policy Strategies

Cairo, Egypt's largest city, faces significant health disparities among its urban poor population, who often lack access to affordable healthcare. The analysis employs a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data from public health databases and surveys of urban poor residents. A thematic analysis of survey responses revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents expressed interest in subsidized health insurance plans, highlighting the potential impact of such initiatives on coverage expansion. Policy strategies focused on targeting subsidies to underserved areas and integrating healthcare services into existing social safety nets show promise for improving access to healthcare among Cairo's urban poor. Immediate implementation of targeted subsidy programmes coupled with community health outreach efforts is recommended to accelerate the process of expanding coverage for the urban poor in Cairo.