CAIRO - 21 May 2026: Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, met with representatives of the World Bank Group on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
The meeting brought together Dr. Sherine Varkey, Director of Health, Nutrition, and Population Practices for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region, and Dr. Samira Al-Tuwaijri, the Bank's Global Health Lead.
The two sides reviewed existing cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive health sector transformation program, focusing on progress in implementing and expanding the universal health insurance system.
The discussion covered key achievements and challenges, as well as identifying future steps necessary to ensure the system's sustainability and its ability to provide integrated and equitable health services to all citizens.
Health Sector Reform
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry's official spokesperson, confirmed that both sides agreed on the priorities for the next phase of health sector reform, particularly strengthening primary healthcare services as a cornerstone of the health system, with a focus on prevention, early detection, and the management of non-communicable diseases.
The meeting also addressed expanding private sector participation in healthcare provision and ensuring that ongoing reforms align with high-level political directives.
Abdel-Ghaffar added that the meeting explored opportunities for expanding cooperation and future investments to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the Egyptian healthcare system. The experience of the health system strengthening project in Indonesia was reviewed as a successful model from which lessons could be learned. The Egyptian side also presented its strategic transformation plan for the health sector, outlining a comprehensive roadmap for developing the system.
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