Egypt’s healthcare system presents a stark divide. Private hospitals are often too expensive for middle-income families, while public hospitals struggle with overcrowding and resource shortages. In 2021, Egypt had 1,145 private hospitals, but their high costs put quality care out of reach for many. At the same time, public facilities, though more affordable, remain overburdened, with long wait times and inconsistent service quality.
This imbalance leaves many Egyptians with few options, compelling them to depend on underfunded public hospitals or to pay high fees at private clinics. A study conducted in rural southern Egypt revealed that nearly 79% of families reported health issues, yet only 23% of rural households could access outpatient care at public hospitals. Additionally, recent healthcare privatization laws risk further diminishing access to affordable services, making it increasingly difficult for middle-income families to obtain consistent, high-quality care.
However, Dawi Clinics, an Egyptian outpatient care provider, has been working to redefine healthcare accessibility since its launch in 2017. The clinic, founded by Magda Habib and Mairose Doss, operates 20 branches across 10 governorates and employs over 260 highly skilled doctors. The company is committed to offering affordable, coordinated, patient-centered healthcare services. Their patient-first philosophy ensures that healthcare is accessible to thousands of Egyptians annually.
The evolution of Dawi Clinics
When Magda Habib and Mairose Doss co-founded Dawi Clinics, their mission was to bridge the gap between expensive private healthcare and overstretched public hospitals. They opened their first two clinics in Cairo, but demand for high-quality, accessible healthcare quickly pushed them to expand.
By 2018, Dawi Clinics had expanded to four locations, with patients responding positively to its coordinated family care, skilled doctors, and seamless medical experience. By 2022, Dawi Clinics had served over 120,000 patients across various governorates. Today, the network boasts 20 branches and continues to grow, with plans to launch 30 more clinics soon.
What makes Dawi different?
Dawi Clinics has a thoughtfully designed system that prioritizes both patients and doctors. Each physician at Dawi is carefully selected based on their expertise, empathy, and commitment to high-quality care. The clinic utilizes a cloud-based electronic medical record system, allowing for easy patient history tracking and ensuring better-coordinated treatments.
Unlike many private clinics, Dawi is open seven days a week, including public holidays, making it convenient for working families. This model has established Dawi as a trusted partner in family wellness. The clinic offers specialized dermatology, obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, and dentistry care.
In 2023, the clinic secured EGP 200 million (about $8 million) in funding, led by Al Ahly Capital Holding in collaboration with the Egyptian-American Enterprise Fund (EAEF). One of the startup’s clinics has also been selected to participate in Egypt’s universal healthcare pilot program.
