Japan’s Provides USD 330 Million for Egypt to achieve Universal Health Coverage in Egypt

2023/2/22
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On February 22, 2023, H.E. Mr. OKA Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt signed and exchanged notes with H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation regarding the provision of a yen loan of 44 billion yen (approximately 330 million US dollars) to support the Government of Egypt to implement the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS) in Egypt.
Ambassador Oka expressed that Japanese cooperation has focused on each and every human being and will continue to support the efforts made by the Government of Egypt to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) so that all Egyptian citizens can enjoy quality, affordable healthcare services. Ambassador Oka added that during the official visit of H. E. President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to Japan in 2016, both leaders confirmed that they would work together to achieve UHC in Egypt, and this support will fulfil this commitment.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat praised the relations with the Japanese side and the efforts made in various fields of development, which come in light of the country's vision and priorities for implementing the 2030 sustainable development goals, and its national vision, which comes at the forefront of developing health care services for citizens and mobilizing resources to implement the universal health insurance project, praising the partnership with the Japanese government in this regard.
Based on the concept that "no one's health left behind," the Government of Japan provided over USD 250 million to support Egypt in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the post-COVID-19 era, in order to ensure equitable access to basic healthcare services, the Government of Japan focuses its support on the achievement of UHC in Egypt. Specifically, two technical cooperation projects are being implemented through JICA: assistance to improve medical services in public hospitals and assistance to the Universal Health Insurance Authority to establish a health insurance system. This new financial support will help Egypt achieve its goal of introducing UHIS by 2030.