JICA signs $336 mln ODA loan agreement with Egypt

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed on Monday a 44 million Japanese yen (JPY) ($336 million) loan agreement for Egypt to provide a Japanese ODA for the Development Policy Loan for Universal Health Coverage.

The loan will financially support Egypt’s implementation of the Universal Health Insurance System, including a medical security system and improved health care services.

The loan will also contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (1) No poverty, (3) Good health and well-being, and (10) Reduced inequalities, JICA’s statement mentioned.

JICA also added in its statement, that the agreement will also improve Egypt’s thereby contributing to the attainment of universal health coverage and promoting Egypt’s economic stabilisation and development efforts.

Egypt is in urgent need of a system that enables its citizens to access quality health services without expensive medical bills that leave them impoverished, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and state’s rapid population growth, JICA added.