Federal Minister of Health Chairs First Meeting of the High Committee for Health Financing Reform
The High Committee for Health Financing Reform held its first meeting under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister of Health.
At the outset of the meeting, the Minister read the ministerial decree establishing the committee. Its key responsibilities include developing a vision for reforming the health financing system. The committee comprises representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Social Development, and Health, as well as the Zakat Chamber, the National Health Insurance Fund, and the National Medical Supplies Fund.
The Minister noted that the committee had originally been formed before the war to explore ways of increasing health sector expenditure and coordinating and unifying financing mechanisms.
A technical committee was subsequently established under the direct supervision of the Ministry’s Undersecretary, with additional stakeholders later incorporated. He added, “We have now issued a decision to reconstitute the High Committee,” emphasizing that its formation is aligned with the National Health Sector Strategy 2026–2030.
The Minister directed that the technical committee hold weekly meetings and the High Committee convene monthly meetings.
He stressed the importance of identifying priorities that will guide implementation through 2027, ensuring a clear phased approach and comprehensive reform. He also underscored the need for collective commitment to a unified financing window and commended the Federal Ministry of Finance for its support. Furthermore, he instructed that the committee’s recommendations be widely circulated.
For his part, the Ministry’s Undersecretary, Dr. Ali Babiker, emphasized the importance of reviewing implementation mechanisms for the proposed reforms and ensuring oversight by the High Committee once these mechanisms are defined. He also highlighted the need to maintain the committee’s continuity and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Dr. Siddig Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Technical Committee, presented the proposed health financing reform framework in line with the Health Recovery Strategy 2026–2030.
Committee members praised the proposal, noting that the current situation requires innovative and unconventional solutions.
They stressed the importance of utilizing corporate social responsibility funds to improve health services, making health insurance mandatory across all state institutions, establishing the necessary laws and regulations, securing sustainable financing solutions for the health system, updating the Public Health Act, reducing the burden on citizens, and ensuring that the reform process is comprehensive and inclusive.