The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has promised a USD 250 mn loan to help finance the state’s health insurance plan under the Universal Healthcare Act, according to a cabinet statement. JICA is willing to take part in funding the construction of the hospitals and centers required to implement the scheme, JICA delegation members told Finance Minister Mohamed Maait in a meeting. Doubts were cast earlier this month on the Health Ministry’s ability to fund universal healthcare after Health Minister Hala Zayed requested an increase in the ministry’s FY2019-2020 budget allocation, claiming that the EGP 73 bn earmarked for the sector was not sufficient to implement the scheme.

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