Egypt will increase health sector allocations in the next general budget to 495.6 billion pounds ($10.4bn), according to the country’s finance minister.
The north African country’s upcoming fiscal year is set to begin in July.
Mohamed Maait said in a statement that this reflects an annual growth rate of 24.9 per cent compared to the funds allocated for the sector in the current fiscal.
This is in line with the nation’s goal to improve medical services for citizens, which is also an objective of Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Moreover, the minister added that allocations for the education sector will also be raised to 858.3bn pounds, with an annual growth rate of 45pc.
Scientific research reserves are also on track to increase to more than 139.5bn pounds in the next budget, reflecting an annual growth rate of 40.1pc.
Mait noted that the country will continue to provide the necessary funds to expand healthcare initiatives, supply medicines and medical aids to hospitals, and increase support for health insurance programmes.
He emphasised how Egypt was also working on targeting the speed of gradual expansion in extending the umbrella of comprehensive health insurance.
Furthermore, the minister said the last social package implemented in March included allocating 15bn pounds in additional increases for doctors, nurses, teachers, and university faculty members.
The breakdown was divided into 8.1bn pounds to approve an additional increase in the wages of teachers in pre-university education as well as 1.6bn pounds to approve a raise for faculty members and their assistants at universities, institutes and research centers.
There was also 4.5bn pounds to approve a supplementary rise for members of the medical professions and nursing bodies.
In 2022, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi discussed strengthening co-operation with the World Health Organisation to improve the country’s healthcare sector.