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European Union and Egypt sign EGP
660 million agreement
to reform the health insurance system
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Nazif, Egyptian Prime Minister, and H.E.
Dr. Klaus Ebermann, Ambassador of the Delegation of the
European Commission in Egypt will sign on Thursday, 14
December at 2:00 p.m. at the Prime Minister's office at
the Smart Village (Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road) an EGP
660 million agreement to support the Egyptian
government's reform of the health insurance system. This
agreement aims to ultimately provide a universal
coverage of primary health care to all Egyptians whether
in cities or in the countryside. More than 90% of health
problems are resolved at the level of primary health
care.
On occasion of the signature, Ambassador Klaus Ebermann
stated: "With the signing of this important agreement,
the EU once again supports crucial government reforms
which will provide high quality social services to the
population, and particularly the economically weaker
classes."
Through this agreement, the role of the Ministry of
Health and Population will be strengthened. It will also
provide for the separation of the health provider and
the health insurer functions, thus saving financial
resources and rationalizing the roles of the different
entities in charge of public health.
The EU has been active in the health sector since 1998
within the EGP 825 million [€110 million] Health Sector
Reform programme, which will soon be finished. Among the
most notable achievements of this programme was the
construction of over 100 rural clinics, the purchase of
modern equipment and the provision of training to
medical staff.
The European Neighbourhood Policy will allow for
deepening and strengthening of relations between Egypt
and the European Union well beyond aid and trade.
Additional tools of co-operation for the health and
other sectors vital for the modernisation of Egypt will
be available, and both Egypt and the EU will strive to
make best possible use of them.
ENDS
Contact: Germaine Demian
Press and Information Officer
Delegation of the European Commission in Egypt
Tel:3749 46 80 (ext: 221)
germaine.demian@cec.eu.int |