A new report issued by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Cabinet identified several factors that will determine Egypt’s ability to accelerate the digital transformation of the healthcare sector, foremost among them securing health data, connecting different databases and systems, and developing specialized human expertise. This comes alongside the rapid global expansion of electronic health records, telehealth, artificial intelligence, and wearable devices.
The report estimates the value of the global digital health market at approximately $347.4 billion in 2025, with projections that it will reach approximately $1.83 trillion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate of 23.4%. The report does not view digital health as merely converting some paper-based procedures into electronic formats, but rather as a system covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and healthcare services management.
From Digitizing Services to Building an Integrated System
This system consists of multiple technologies, including electronic health records, mobile health applications, telehealth, wearable devices, the Internet of Medical Things, and artificial intelligence tools. Electronic records make it possible to compile a patient’s medical history, medications, tests, reports, and vital signs, thereby supporting clinical decision-making and the exchange of information among healthcare institutions.
Smart devices can also monitor indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar levels, and physical activity, while the Internet of Medical Things enables real-time transmission of data from sensors to health platforms, particularly for monitoring chronic diseases and providing home care. The report also points to the potential use of blockchain to enhance data security, management transparency, and interoperability, without presenting it as a standalone solution to the sector’s challenges.
Artificial intelligence stands out as a major market driver because of its ability to analyze large volumes of health data, support diagnosis, predict complications, and inform medical decisions, in addition to contributing to the development of treatment plans more closely linked to a patient’s genetic and clinical characteristics and lifestyle.
Where Does Egypt Stand?
The report links this global trend to steps Egypt has taken in recent years to develop its digital health infrastructure. It points to the creation of approximately 4.5 million electronic health records in Universal Health Insurance governorates and the issuance of more than 42 million electronic prescriptions, in addition to the implementation of an electronic referral system and the adoption of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
Law No. (2) of 2018 on the Universal Health Insurance System is one of the frameworks underpinning this path, as it includes objectives related to developing healthcare facilities, implementing electronic medical records, standardizing quality standards, and building human capacities. The report also refers to the National Digital Health Strategy (2025–2029), which aims to establish a citizen-centered system based on secure and interoperable infrastructure, while unifying databases and supporting decision-makers.
The COVID-19 pandemic helped accelerate the adoption of digital services in Egypt, alongside the growth of health technology companies offering services such as appointment booking, electronic prescriptions, medication delivery, home care, and digital mental health services.
What Is Hindering Expansion in Practice?
The report does not consider the availability of applications or increased investment sufficient to ensure the success of the transformation. Cybersecurity risks and the protection of health data remain among the most prominent challenges, along with the absence of unified regulatory frameworks and limited interoperability among systems. In practice, this means that creating separate digital records or platforms may not result in an integrated healthcare system if data cannot be exchanged according to clear and secure standards.
Other challenges include the high cost of transformation and uneven infrastructure readiness, as well as a shortage of specialists capable of managing digital health technologies, artificial intelligence, and medical coding. The report also highlights the need for legal and regulatory frameworks that keep pace with the rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital health, a point directly connected to how patient data are protected and the responsibilities of parties using these systems are defined.
Why Does This Report Matter?
The importance of this approach lies in shifting the discussion from the number of services converted to digital form to the conditions required to operate them within an integrated infrastructure. Expanding telehealth or smart diagnosis may improve access to services, but its impact depends on data quality, data security, the ability of systems to work together, and the availability of personnel capable of operating them.
The report draws on international estimates indicating that a range of digital interventions, including telehealth, health messaging, and intelligent chatbots, could help save more than 2.1 million lives worldwide by 2033 and add approximately 4.9 million life-years, with economic gains exceeding $199 billion against investments estimated at approximately $9.8 billion. These figures remain estimates and are not a proven result of specific Egyptian applications.
According to the report, the next phase will require combining data governance, interoperability, cybersecurity, and skills development with support for innovation and partnerships between the public and private sectors. The open question is whether the various digital projects can move from separate initiatives to a unified health infrastructure that preserves data security and quality of care at the same time.