This study aims at discussing the extent of covering the Egyptian employees with the basic/ essential occupational healthcare services. The paper detailed the legislative, institutional and technical aspects relevant to various OCH services, emphasizing the central role of Primary Healthcare (PHC) services and the Health Insurance Organization (HIO). The natural history of developing the public healthcare system in Egypt is revealed, in details, showing its objectives, procedures and categories/ leveling.
The study illustrates the overall picture of healthcare services pertinent to Egyptian workers at present; the strengths, weaknesses and recommendations aiming at comprehensive and integrated coverage in order to comply with the international conventions and the national legislative framework.
The study concluded that OCH services are essentially necessary for the Egyptian labor force that constitutes about 31.7% of the whole population and about 48.84% of those aged 15 yrs. or more. There is an urgent need of expanding the OCH services, which currently cover about one-quarter of the working population, to provide every employee with the basic OCH services as indicated by the international recommendations and the Egyptian Constitution, legislation and community necessity.