Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Landmark brain surgery performed while patient awake marks milestone for Egypt’s universal health coverage
For the first time under Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance system, a highly complex brain surgery was successfully performed on a fully awake patient at Horus International Hospital in Luxor. The pioneering procedure—a six-hour awake craniotomy to remove a tumor from the brain’s speech center—was completed without any impact on the patient’s ability to speak or communicate.
The operation, which typically costs over 700,000 Egyptian pounds outside the public system, was made accessible for only 480 pounds, the patient’s share under national health insurance. This achievement reflects Egypt’s commitment to providing world-class, advanced medical care to all citizens, especially in Upper Egypt, with a strong investment in training and the dedication of skilled doctors, nurses, and staff.
Horus International Hospital has already delivered over 1.7 million medical services and 122,000 surgeries according to the highest global standards, highlighting the transformative impact of Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance on healthcare quality and accessibility across the nation.