Egypt, IOM sign MoU on enhancing medical services provided to migrants

CAIRO – 16 November 2022: The Ministry of Health and Population and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed Wednesday an MoU on enhancing medical services provided to migrants in Egypt, by providing training to medics as well as supplies and equipment. 

The MoU aims to ensure improved access to quality health services for both migrants and the Egyptian host community. Both Parties will work together on capacity building activities for the MoHP healthcare workers and staff, donation of medical equipment, and supporting risk communication and community engagment activities, besides, jointly collaborating in policy development which shall address migrants' inclusion in the Egyptian public health system.

According to IOM Egypt’s recent migrants stock take, there is an estimate of 9 million people originating from 133 countries living in Egypt. IOM Egypt and MoHP have had a long-term partnership over the years in implementing various activities. However, by signing this MoU, the collaboration will widely support future when it comes to migrants’ health in Egypt.

Dr. Khaled Abdelghaffar, The Minister of Health and Population directed his thanks and welcome to the Chief of Mission and the members of the delegation accompanying him, appreciating the bilateral relations between both partners. He also welcomed the cooperation and facilitation of all necessary means of support, so that all citizens in Egypt, including migrants, could have access to all health care services. His excellency also stressed on the Ministry's keenness to exert its efforts to improve the quality of mental health services in Egypt by providing all the necessary tools, in addition to building the capacities of the relevant personnel, in a way that contributes to achieving the sustainable development goals. 

From his side, Mr. Carlos Oliver Cruz said, “We need to highlight the efforts that have been exerted by the MoHP towards migrants’ inclusion in health services in Egypt like the presidential health initiatives, 100 million health and the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.” IOM Egypt has expressed its commitment to identify the needs of the MoHP which will enable jointly planning future actions towards improving migrants access to public health services. This includes Migrants’ inclusion in Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance Program.

This partnership is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3 “Good Health and Well-Being,” and Goal 10 "Reduced Inequalities”, Goal 13 “Climate Action” and Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”. It also comes in line with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), Objective 7 “Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration” and Objective 15 “Provide access to basic services for migrants”.