World Bank lends Egypt $400 mln to boost health system

CAIRO - 17 June 2020: The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday approved a USD 400 million project to boost the comprehensive health insurance system in Egypt.

In a statement a copy of which MENA obtained, the World Bank said the project supports the Egyptian government's efforts to put in place the building blocks of the comprehensive health insurance system; to roll the system out in Phase I Governorates; and to offer temporary financial protection to the most vulnerable across the country to protect them from high out-of-pocket health expenditures resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.

"Expanding health care services is a national priority for the Government of Egypt. The Universal Health Insurance project with the World Bank encompasses mandatory coverage for citizens and unifies, for the first time, efforts with the private sector. The project aims at achieving value care services, including to the most vulnerable, by eliminating existing disparities,” said Minister of International Cooperation Rania El Mashat.

"We are pleased to partner with the World Bank to support Egypt’s universal health insurance system, which will help Egyptians access affordable health care they need without suffering financial hardships. The Project will support Egypt to achieve long-term stability in health financing with less dependence on state budget and less exposure to economic fluctuations,” said Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait.

“Our support will help Egypt increase its coverage of the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in six governorates, strengthen UHIS-related governance and institutions, and also provide temporary financial protection against high out of pocket health expenditures for vulnerable populations across the country,” said Marina Wes, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti.

Over the years, the World Bank has strengthened its engagement in Egypt’s health sector, including the transforming Egypt's healthcare system project, which was launched in September 2018 to help improve health service delivery in Egypt, the statement added.

The Project supported the screening of 52 million citizens for Hepatitis C and Non-Communicable Diseases; provided ongoing treatment for 2.2 million patients, in addition to supporting the improvement of quality of care in 600 Primary Health Care facilities and 30 tertiary hospitals; trained and contracted 2,800 community health workers; boosted demand- and supply-side interventions for family planning programs; and provided advanced nucleic acid testing for public blood supply, the statement read.