Government-sponsored healthcare was on the talking heads’ minds as Egypt’s new universal healthcare system officially debuted in Port Said yesterday.

The launch is a model for Africa, says the World Bank’s Sherif Hamdy: Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal highlighted comments by the World Bank’s private sector specialist Sherif Hamdy about launching the scheme, which he said could serve as “a model for African neighbors” (watch, runtime: 2:18).

Madbouly highlights key features of the healthcare scheme: Hona Al Asema’s Lama Gebril, meanwhile, took note of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly saying that Port Said will be the first to benefit from the universal scheme through 11 general and specialized hospitals and healthcare units. Madbouly also reiterated that less financially secure citizens will be fully exempt from subscription fees (watch, runtime: 3:03).

Gebril also took note of the presidential initiative for the early detection of breast cancer, which kicked off yesterday with the screening of some 8 mn women. Women aged 18 and older in nine governorates will benefit from the first phase of the program, which will cover Alexandria, Port Said, Matrouh, Qalyubia, Beheira, Assiut, Fayoum, South Sinai, and Damietta. All services under the program will be offered at no charge (watch, runtime: 9:18).