EGYPT – Mohamed Maait, the Finance Minister of Egypt, has announced that the health sector has been allocated about US$12.97 billion (EGP 397 billion) in the 2023/24 budget.
It follows the comprehensive medical examinations conducted for 4.68 million students in schools during the first quarter of 2023, with a coverage rate of 94%.
The Egyptian Ministry of Finance has allocated about US$12.97 billion (EGP 397 billion) in the 2023/24 financial year, which is an increase of 30.4 percent compared to the revised budget estimate for the 2022/23 financial year.
These financial allocations from the national government to the health sector will support the provision of medicines, medical supplies, and raw materials for hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP).
The funds will cover key initiatives including the presidential initiative for model hospitals, the presidential initiative to support investment in health service providers, and the initiative to detect and treat kidney failure.
Additionally, the 2022/23 budget will fund activities and programmes for the presidential initiative for self-sufficiency in plasma derivatives, and the early detection initiatives for new-born diseases.
This new budget comes as unprecedented pressures imposed by the current global challenges have negatively impacted the economies of various countries, including Egypt.
During this year’s budget speech, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait asserted: “The health sector is one of the top presidential priorities.”
Maait outlined that the Egyptian government increased funding to the MoHP-supported hospitals to reduce the cost of treatment while maintaining the high quality of care delivery.
He explained that these hospitals are increasing the cost of treatment at the expense of support directed to health insurance programs for various groups and segments of society and health insurance for those who need it.
“The government will continue to provide all possible means of support to the health sector, and improve the financial conditions of workers, doctors, and nursing staff,” stated Maait.
This news follows a US$330 million (44 billion Japanese yen) loan agreement between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Egyptian government to support the rollout of a comprehensive health insurance scheme in the country.
With financial backing from JICA, Egypt will strengthen its health systems and ensure equitable access to critical healthcare services for its citizens.
These funds will be used to create, implement, and maintain Egypt’s universal health insurance system, and achieve the desired goals according to the specified timetable.
“The Egyptian government is keenness on expanding the health care initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Health and Population,” underscored Maait.
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