As part of national efforts to support the governorates included in the second phase of the Universal Health Insurance System, and in alignment with the state’s commitment to improving the quality of medical services, Minia Governorate witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation protocol between the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) and Minia University. This partnership marks an important step in strengthening the governorate’s readiness to implement unified, high-quality healthcare standards.
High-Level Meeting and Intensive Training Program
During his official visit to Minia University, Professor Dr. Ahmed Taha, President of GAHAR, met with Professor Dr. Essam El-Din Sadeq Farahat, President of Minia University. The two sides discussed avenues for expanding collaborative efforts and reviewed ongoing preparations for the implementation of the Universal Health Insurance System in Minia—one of the leading governorates in the second rollout phase.
The visit also included the launch of an intensive two-day training program jointly organized by the university and GAHAR. The program witnessed broad participation from healthcare providers across the governorate and aims to equip participants with the competencies required to apply the 2025 edition of the Full Hospital Accreditation Standards.
Senior university leadership attended the meeting and the program inauguration, including:
Professor Dr. Ayman Hassanein, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development and Executive Director of University Hospitals.
Professor Dr. Hossam Shawky, Vice President for Postgraduate Studies and Research.
GAHAR’s delegation included Board Members Dr. Sayed El-Okkda, Dr. Walaa Abdel-Latif, and Dr. Wael El-Derandali; Dr. Mohamed El-Sayess, Acting Executive Director; and Counsellor Karim Arafa, Vice President of the State Council and Legal Adviser to the Authority.
Signing of the Cooperation Protocol
The protocol was officially signed by:
Professor Dr. Ahmed Taha, President of GAHAR.
Professor Dr. Essam El-Din Sadeq Farahat, President of Minia University.
The agreement aims to:
Enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare services provided by the university’s hospitals and affiliated facilities.
Develop the skills of medical and administrative staff in line with international best practices.
Design and implement specialized training programs in healthcare quality and accreditation.
GAHAR’s Vision: Preparedness, Sustainability, and Quality
Professor Dr. Ahmed Taha emphasized that the cooperation represents a pivotal step in strengthening Minia’s ability to meet accreditation requirements. He highlighted key priorities, including:
Upgrading healthcare facilities and preparing them to achieve accreditation status.
Promoting a culture of quality as a foundation for sustaining system efficiency.
Training healthcare professionals to reinforce public confidence in the services offered.
He also noted that nearly 5,000 healthcare providers in Minia had already benefited from previous training programs conducted by GAHAR. Dr. Taha affirmed that the political leadership strongly supports the role of the university sector in enhancing national partnerships and unifying healthcare standards within the framework of a comprehensive reform project for the health system.
University Perspective: From Theory to Practice
For his part, Professor Dr. Farahat expressed his appreciation for GAHAR’s efforts, noting that the protocol represents a practical step toward transforming theoretical knowledge of quality standards into real, measurable improvements within university hospitals. He underscored the university’s commitment to:
Dr. Farahat revealed that 500 out of 1,650 university hospital beds have already been integrated into the Universal Health Insurance System. He added that the university looks forward to the accreditation of the Kidney and Urology Hospital as well as the newly established “Triple Hospital” in the near future. He affirmed that the enthusiasm of medical teams to engage in the accreditation process reflects the university’s vision of strengthening community confidence.
Field Visit to University Hospitals
The visit included an on-site tour by GAHAR’s president to several university healthcare facilities. The delegation inspected the Triple University Hospital, one of Minia’s newest medical institutions. The tour provided an opportunity to assess its current level of readiness, identify challenges and operational needs, and reaffirm the continuous cooperation between both sides to ensure full compliance with GAHAR accreditation standards.