Rheumatic Diseases in Egypt

Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations in the world and the most populous Arab country, with an estimated population of 103 million people in 2022. Despite a free healthcare services policy, the healthcare system in Egypt faces some challenges, including a low level of government health expenditure (4–5% of gross domestic product, GDP) with a resultant high out-of-pocket expenditure (57.2% of total health expenditure). Although there are no formal screening programs for rheumatic diseases in Egypt, the estimated burden of rheumatic diseases was 0.04% of the total disease burden in Egypt in 2014. The laboratory and radiological investigations necessary for diagnosing rheumatic diseases, as well as the facilities required for their proper management, pose minor obstacles. Economic and financial constraints, however, present a significant challenge to ensuring equity in provided services. There are ongoing attempts to improve insurance coverage to face such challenges. With around 1200 rheumatologists and some rheumatology associations, including the Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases, Egypt has an active pivotal role in research and managing rheumatic diseases in the Arab world.