Finance Ministry has allocated EGP 3.8bn to Egypt’s health sector since the beginning of March, in a bid to counter the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Minister of Finance Mohamed Moeit said in a Wednesday press statement.
Moeit added that EGP 2.583bn has been designated for the Ministry of Health. While EGP 427m was allocated for the ministry’s affiliated bodies including public and central hospitals, specialised medical centres, and mental health hospitals.
The minister explained that EGP 688.5m was directed for the universities’ hospitals and EGP 50m to Al-Azhar University hospital.
These sums of cash aim to help the aforementioned bodies deal with coronavirus pandemic and ensure the highest levels of health care.
Moeit revealed that since the beginning of March, EGP 3bn has been directed to the General Authority for Supply Commodities. An additional EGP 1bn that will be allocated to meet basic food commodities needs.
He also noted that EGP 15bn will be used to purchase wheat from local farmers in April, to ensure the country’s needs of strategic commodities.
“Within the presidential directives to strengthen social protection measures, EGP 70m has been directed to the Ministry of Social Solidarity, to compensate those affected by the recent storm,” the statement read.
“Another EGP 25m has been earmarked to pay compensation and subsidy to Sinai residents,” the statement added.
