The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced on Wednesday the launch of an advisory programme that aims to help 100 private healthcare providers at least, improving their patient care systems and broadening access to safe and quality healthcare in the country.

The IFC said that the programme also targets supporting Egypt’s goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.

Through its Egypt Quality Advisory Programme, the IFC is expected to advise private healthcare service providers across Egypt on enhancing patient safety practices and upgrading their quality assurance systems, ensuring they comply with national requirements and delivering the best quality care.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for strong and resilient health systems. Egypt’s ambition of achieving universal health coverage can only be achieved through a combination of public and private providers working together. For universal healthcare, quality is a prerequisite. The IFC’s support for private healthcare in Egypt is well-aligned with our broader strategy of fostering inclusive growth in the country.” said Walid Labadi, the IFC’s country manager for Egypt, Yemen, and Libya.

The three-year initiative will be implemented in partnership with the government of the Netherlands, and will support medical facilities and institutions across Egypt, including in Cairo, Port Said, Ismailiya, Sinai, Aswan, Luxor, Matrouh, and Qena.

Egypt’s government passed a comprehensive health insurance law in 2017 to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage. The IFC is supporting this effort by providing investments and advisory services to private sector health operators in the country.

Since 2007, the IFC has invested and mobilised more than $310 million to support hospitals, clinics, and other health infrastructure in Egypt.

In its FY2021/2022 budget, which will be rolled out as of 1 July, Egypt’s health sector’s allocations are expected to increase by 16.27 percent to reach EGP 108.8 billion, up from EGP 93.5 billion in the current FY2020/2021.