The International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched an advisory programme, on Sunday, to help at least 100 private healthcare providers improve their patient care systems.
The programme also aims to broaden access to safe, quality healthcare in the country, whilst supporting Egypt’s goal of achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
The IFC, through its Egypt Quality Advisory Programme, will advise private healthcare service providers across the country on enhancing patient safety practices.
They will also provide support for these providers on upgrading their quality assurance systems, ensuring they comply with national requirements and deliver the best quality care.
Walid Labadi, the IFC Country Manager for Egypt, Yemen, and Libya, said that the novel coronavirus (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,” Labadi added, “For universal healthcare, quality is a prerequisite.”
He said that the IFC’s support for private healthcare in Egypt is well-aligned with its broader strategy of fostering inclusive growth in the country.
The three-year initiative will be implemented in partnership with the Government of the Netherlands, and will support medical facilities and institutions across Egypt. This includes Cairo, Port Said, Ismailia, Sinai, Aswan, Luxor, Matrouh, and Qena.
The Egyptian 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, IFC has invested and mobilised more than $310m to support hospitals, clinics, and other health infrastructure in Egypt.
